SUMMARY
- Despite Chimaev's dominant performances and absorbing presence, he was always plagued with injuries.
- Chimaev has revealed that he was contending with numerous injuries, hospitalizations, and other such complications.
Khamzat Chimaev has become one of the most dangerous fighters on the UFC roster in the past few years. Despite his dominant performances and absorbing presence, Khamzat was always plagued with injuries. As such, his recovery is well underway, and he expects to return to action shortly.
Previously, ‘Borz’ took on Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 in a bout that was heavily debated. Although Khamzat was at his dominant self in spells, there were times when he looked second-best. As such, many were left disagreeing after Chimaev was awarded the majority decision victory on the night. As it turns out, the UAE-based fighter had torn his hand ligaments quite early on in the fight.
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Since then, Chimaev has revealed that he has been contending with numerous injuries, hospitalizations, and other such complications. Taking to ‘X’, the fighter posted a message. “I was very sick, my hand was injured, so I couldn’t return right away. I want to tell all the fountains (fans), I want to see myself in battle more than all of you, I love this job, I will do and prove that I am the best. As we always we do, and I will be back soon to (Insha’allah) training”.
However, he soon took it down, posting a video in its stead. For the most part, a lot has been made of Khamzat and his tenure in the UFC. Whilst some imagined that after moving down to welterweight, Chimaev would stick through and contend for the title. However, owing to the weight mishap at UFC 279, it was understood that he would make his move up to middleweight.
Khamzat Chimaev’s injury record
Unfortunately, Khamzat Chimaev’s first fight back at middleweight did not go as planned. With his opponent, Paulo Costa, getting injured, the former Swedish fighter was given Kamaru Usman to contend with instead. For those unaware, Usman is the former Welterweight Champion, who made the move up to middleweight for this fight.
Thus, with the underwhelming performance (by his own standards) against a welterweight, many were keen to see Chimaev do better. As has been the case, Khamzat’s UFC career has been plagued with injuries and illness. Initially, the 29-year-old created a big storm with his victories against John Phillips and Rhys McKee coming within 10 days of each other, which were followed up with a win against Gerald Meerschaert two months later.
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As it turns out, the victories would be Khamzat’s last for a while, owing to severe COVID-19 complications. Initially, the fighter had also declared his retirement after doctors indicated the possibility of cancer. However, overcoming all odds, Chimaev returned against Li Jingliang at UFC 267 and then Gilbert Burns at UFC 273. Following his aforementioned win over Kevin Holland at UFC 279, Chiamev was seemingly put on ice by the UFC.
Since making his return against Kamaru, it is clear that Chimaev is growing rather impatient. Said to be eyeing a return at UFC 300, Khamzat has hinted at wanting to fight Usman again and even Israel Adesanya. Although talks for either fight are yet to begin, who do you think Chimaev should fight next? Which opponent would put him on the path to title contention and potentially two titles? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.