MMA journalist Ariel Helwani reported that a medical issue was the reason behind Chimaev’s failed weight cut.
On Thursday (8 September), the UFC 279 press conference was abandoned due to a series of backstage incidents, at least two of which reportedly involved Chimaev.
UFC president Dana White said the 28-year-old had started the commotion alongside fellow UFC fighter Kevin Holland, and Helwani later reported that Chimaev had begun the fracas by kicking Holland, who is also due to fight at UFC 279.
Earlier in the week, Chimaev also confronted UFC middleweight Paulo Costa at the promotion’s Performance Institute in Las Vegas.
Chimaev is 11-0 as a professional mixed martial artist, having won his first 10 fights via stoppage. He last competed in April, outpointing former welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns.
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