Khamzat
Chimaev could take another hiatus from the Octagon if the
Ultimate Fighting Championship fails to offer him a fight by
the end of the year.
The former UFC middleweight champion had initially targeted a
return in October in Abu Dhabi. Chimaev now says he’s reached a
point where he may take time away from competition to address
several lingering health issues.
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Khamzat Chimaev says lingering injuries could force a break
from UFC competition
Speaking to Adam Zubayraev, Chimaev revealed that he might take a
break if he doesn’t get a fight by the end of 2026 to address some
niggling health issues. “Borz” doesn’t want to compete compromised
again, having done so several times previously.
“If nothing happens in October or December, I think I’ll take a
little break,” Chimaev said. “I have a lot of injuries that I need
to get treated. I’ve been putting off my surgeries, putting them
off, putting them off, and I go into every fight with some kind of
problem. I don’t really like talking about my problems or injuries.
People already know that I get sick often. That’s just how it is
with me.”
Chimaev has been campaigning for a title shot and rematch with
current champ Sean
Strickland, but with Nassourdine
Imavov strongly rumored to be the next middleweight title
challenger, the Chechen will need to fight a fellow 185-pound
contender if he wants to compete this year.