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After Repeated Hospitalizations, Khamzat Chimaev Returns to Old Coach for a Rest-Focused Training Approach

After Repeated Hospitalizations, Khamzat Chimaev Returns to Old Coach for a Rest-Focused Training Approach After pulling out of multiple fights due to health-related issues, Khamzat Chimaev is reuniting with his original wrestling coach…

After pulling out of multiple fights due to health-related issues, Khamzat Chimaev is reuniting with his original wrestling coach in an attempt to revamp his training regimen and avoid overworking himself.

Since 2020, ‘Borz’ has barely averaged one fight per year and has seen no less than six previously scheduled fights fall through for one reason or another. In June, Chimaev was scheduled to headline the promotion’s big debut in Saudi Arabia against former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. Less than two weeks before fight night, Chimaev bowed out after becoming “violently ill” with an undisclosed illness.

Determined to make a change, the undefeated Chechen superstar revealed in a recent interview that he’s gone back to working with legendary wrestling coach Salim Noutsalkhanov to take a training approach that focuses more on recovery rather than depleting himself every time he steps inside the gym.

Khamzat Chimaev @KChimaev has reunited with his first wrestling coach and completely changed his training approach ahead of his long-awaited return to the octagon against Rob Whittaker.

Will we see the new version of Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 in Saudi Arabia – the Healthy Borz… pic.twitter.com/hrDMDqe4gB

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) September 18, 2024

“The point is they now let me rest and recover properly,” Chimaev told Adam Zubayraev. “I used to go to the gym and train till I was done. But then I ended up in hospital. Like the last time when I was in hospital, three times in a row within three weeks. My immune system went down, I got sick.

“Now I use a better approach. I work with good coaches. Salim [Noutsalkhanov] raised a lot of world champions. He also trained Buvaisar Saitiev for the Beijing Olympics. With people like that, I’m going to take a big step forward.”

Khamzat Chimaev (hopefully) returns to action at UFC 308

Khamzat Chimaev saw a fast and furious start to his UFC career, earning three wins in the span of eight weeks, but an especially bad bout with COVID-19 hindered his progress and even had him contemplating retirement at one point. Luckily, ‘Borz’ made a full recovery and has Li Jingliang, Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland, and Kamaru Usman.

Chimaev is scheduled to return to the Octagon on October 26 at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi where he will meet Robert Whittaker in a rescheduled showdown.

Dana White has already confirmed that Sean Strickland will receive the next shot at reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, though it’s possible that an especially impressive showing from either fighter, more so Chimaev, could disrupt those plans and force ‘Tarzan’ to sit on the sidelines a bit longer.

Khamzat Chimaev Reveals Major Training Change Ahead Of UFC 308 Return After Latest Illness

Khamzat Chimaev recently revealed that he’s made major adjustments to his training regimen to aid in his recovery from past illnesses, ensuring he’s in top form for his highly anticipated comeback next month. “Borz” is preparing to square off against former champion Robert Whittaker in a high-stakes, five-round co-main event at UFC 308 on October […]

Continue Reading Khamzat Chimaev Reveals Major Training Change Ahead Of UFC 308 Return After Latest Illness at MMA News.

“Borz” is preparing to square off against former champion Robert Whittaker in a high-stakes, five-round co-main event at UFC 308 on October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The two fighters were originally slated to meet in the main event of a UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia this past June. However, just two weeks before the showdown, Chimaev was forced to pull out due to an unspecified illness. Ikram Aliskerov stepped in on short notice to save the headliner, only to get knocked out by “The Reaper” in under two minutes.

Once regarded as one of the most dangerous and active fighters on the UFC roster, Chimaev’s momentum has drastically slowed, with only two Octagon appearances since his hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 in April 2023.

Much of the 30-year-old Russian’s UFC career has been hampered by illness and recovery from injuries. However, with the looming challenge of Whittaker and the prospect of a potential middleweight title eliminator, Chimaev appears more determined than ever. He’s leaving no stone unturned, making significant changes to his training approach.

Chimaev Enlists His First Wrestling Coach For UFC 308 Comeback

During a recent appearance on the HUSTLE VLOG on Russian YouTuber Adam Zubayraev’s channel, Chimaev revealed that in light of his past health issues, he has brought back his first wrestling coach, Salim Noutsalkhanov, to guide his UFC 308 fight camp.

“The point is they now let me rest and recover properly. I used to go to the gym and just train till I was done,” Chimaev said. “Yes [I would train just to get exhausted] but then I ended up in the hospital like the last time when I was in the hospital three times in a row in the space of three weeks. My immune system went down, I got sick, and now I use a better approach.”

Chimaev further expressed strong confidence in Noutsalkhanov’s coaching abilities, emphasizing his experience in training legendary freestyle wrestlers such as Buvaisar Saitiev.

“I work with good coaches; Salim raised a lot of world champions; he also trained Buvaisar Saitiev for the Beijing Olympics with people like that. I am going to take a big step forward.”

[h/t Bloody Elbow]

Chimaev last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 294 in October 2023, where he took on former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in a short-notice matchup. During the bout, “Borz” sustained a torn ligament in his hand.

Additionally, this past January, images of Chimaev’s swollen face made rounds on social media. The undefeated Chechen later revealed that he had been battling a serious infection that had spread through his upper body, ultimately leaving him requiring ventilator support.

Read More: Whittaker Reveals He Insisted On Chimaev Rebooking: ‘I Love Disrupting Their Plans’

Continue Reading Khamzat Chimaev Reveals Major Training Change Ahead Of UFC 308 Return After Latest Illness at MMA News.

Gay champ? Dricus du Plessis responds to Khamzat Chimaev

Undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis has hit out at unbeaten challenger, Khamzat Chimaev — poking fun at…

Undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis has hit out at unbeaten challenger, Khamzat Chimaev — poking fun at his history of failed returns to the Octagon, after the Chechen referred to him as a “gay” titleholder on social media.

du Plessis, the current undisputed middleweight gold holder, most recently headlined UFC 305 last month in Perth, Australia — successfully defending his divisional crown for the first time.

Laying waste to the returning former two-time middleweight titleholder, Israel Adesanya, Pretoria native, Dricus du Plessis managed to wrap up a fourth round win over the City Kickboxing star — courtesy of a rear-naked choke stoppage ‘Downunder.

And expected to return in a title fight rematch with number one ranked contender, Sean Strickland early in 2025, du Plessis reign is at stake according to unbeaten contender, Chimaev — who referred to him as “gay” — calling his sexual preference into question.

We need to get that title back for the normal people, man,” Khamzat Chimaev said during an X Spaces session. “This gay champion have the belt now.”

Dricus du Plessis pokes fun at Khamzat Chimaev’s inactivity from the Octagon

Sidelined for a year by the time his return to action rolls around next month, undefeated challenger, Chimaev is slated to co-headline UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, taking on former champion, Robert Whittaker over the course of five rounds.

And ruled from a June comeback against the soon-to-be common-foe amid a reported “violent” illness, Chimaev was hit out at by South African champion, du Plessis, who urged him to just finally made good on a return to active competition.

“You just focus on trying to make it to a fight, any fight!” Dricus du Plessis posted on X in response to Khamzat Chimaev.

In his most recent win, Chechen contender, Chimaev landed a controversial majority decision win against former champion and pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 back in October of last year in the Middle East.

Khamzat Chimaev on Dricus du Plessis: “This gay who have the belt man, not normal.”

Khamzat Chimaev claims he’s going to bring the middleweight title back to “the normal people” in a recent post…

Khamzat Chimaev claims he’s going to bring the middleweight title back to “the normal people” in a recent post on social media.

In the time since ‘Borz’ last stepped inside the Octagon, 185-pound champion Dricus Du Plessis has both captured and defended the division’s top prize. His most recent appearance came at UFC 305 in Perth when he scored a stunning fourth-round submission victory over former two-time titleholder Israel Adesanya.

All signs point toward ‘DDP’ running it back with the man he took the title from, Sean Strickland, in his next outing. However, those plans could be disrupted should Chimaev deliver a dominant showing when he squares off with Robert Whittaker next month at UFC 308.

During a recent conversation with friend and former UFC standout Darren Till, Chimaev fired a few shots at Du Plessis and expressed his desire to bring the 185-pound belt back to the “normal people” while unnecessarily commenting on the South African star’s alleged sexual orientation.

“We need to get the title back for the normal people, man. This gay who has the belt, man, not normal. First time I’ve ever seen or heard like African gay,” Chimaev said on X Spaces.

Dricus Du Plessis snaps back at Khamzat Chimaev

Dricus Du Plessis was quick to snap back at Chimaev’s bigoted comment, suggesting that ‘Borz’ focus on actually making it to a fight before running his mouth about a title shot.

“You just focus on trying to make it to a fight, any fight!” Du Plessis replied.

Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC career got off to a fast and furious start with him winning three fights in the span of eight weeks. Since then, he’s barely averaged one fight per year and has seen at least six previously scheduled fights canceled. In June, ‘Borz’ was scheduled to headline UFC Saudi Arabia before bowing out after becoming “violently ill” with an undisclosed illness.

Whittaker, who was supposed to face Chimaev that night, went on to score a first-round KO against short-notice replacement Ikram Alikerov in Riyadh. ‘The Reaper’ then asked the UFC to rebook his bout for October 26 when the promotion heads back to Abu Dhabi.

Online sportsbooks BetOnline.ag is currently allowing bettors to wager whether or not Chimaev will actually show up at Etihad Arena next month with odds opening at -140 in favor of ‘Borz’ not making the walk come fight night.

‘You don’t have discipline’: Khamzat Chimaev slams Darren Till for weight issues

Former training partner of ex-welterweight title challenger, Darren Till, unbeaten middleweight star, Khamzat Chimaev has mocked the Liverpool striker’s…

Former training partner of ex-welterweight title challenger, Darren Till, unbeaten middleweight star, Khamzat Chimaev has mocked the Liverpool striker’s current physique, claiming the Team Kaobon native is fast on his way to an endorsement from Snickers.

Chimaev, the current number twelve ranked middleweight contender, is slated to return next month at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, UAE — taking on former divisional champion, Robert Whittaker in a five round co-main event bout in the Middle East.

Khamzat Chimaev shares brutal training regimen before UFC 308 match with Robert Whittaker

For Till, the former welterweight title challenger has been sidelined from the Octagon since Decmeber of 2022, most recently dropping an eventual third round neck crank submission loss against current middleweight gold holder, Dricus du Plessis.

Robert Whittaker - Khamzat Chimaev off, then back on as UFC 308 co-Main event fight

Khamzat Chimaev hits out at Darren Till over alleged lack of discipline

And hitting out at the controversial Till, who has since competed in professional boxing, Chimaev claimed his former training mate would likely have beaten du Plessis if he was more disciplined.

“Before I met you, I never missed weight,” Khamzat Chimaev told Darren Till during an X Spaces session. “Because you eat everyday chocolate, brother. I couldn’t stop as well. You don’t have discipline, bro. That’s why you’re not close to me now. Now you’re in Liverpool — you drink beer everyday, man.”

Without a win since he co-headlined UFC 294 back in October of last year, Chechen contender, Khamzat Chimaev improved to 13-0 as a professional with a controversial majority decision win over former welterweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman in Abu Dhabi.

Competing for undisputed welterweight gold against former dominant champion, Tyron Woodley back in 2018, Liverpool striker, Till suffered his professional defeat in a second round D’Arce choke submission defeat to the St. Louis native.

In July, Till turned in a second round TKO win over Mohammaed Mutie in his professional boxing debut in the Middle East.

Video: Khamzat Chimaev and Luke Rockhold Throw Down In BJJ Match

UFC star Khamzat Chimaev and former middleweight titleholder Luke Rockhold clashed on the mats ahead of Chimaev’s return to…

UFC star Khamzat Chimaev and former middleweight titleholder Luke Rockhold clashed on the mats ahead of Chimaev’s return to the Octagon.

Chimaev will face former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the UFC 308 co-main event next month. He returns to the Octagon against Whittaker after the two were supposed to headline UFC Saudi Arabia earlier this summer before Chimaev withdrew due to illness.

Chimaev, despite a recent injury scare ahead of UFC 308, is looking sharp ahead of his return. He’s already shared parts of his ferocious training regimen before the event and aims to make a statement.

Khamzat Chimaev and Rockhold have trained together ahead of UFC 308. The two elite athletes squared off in a friendly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu match in the gym, and Chimaev smothered the former champion.

Khamzat Chimaev Trains With Luke Rockhold Ahead Of UFC 308

Watch Chimaev and Rockhold’s impromptu grappling match below.

Rockhold hasn’t fought in MMA since a loss to Paulo Costa at UFC 278. After parting ways with the UFC, he competed in the Karate Combat pit and Bare Knuckle FC ring.

As for Khamzat Chimaev , he’s looking to keep his positive momentum after an unbeaten run inside the Octagon. He’s looking ahead to a middleweight comeback after defeating Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 last year.

Chimaev is inarguably one of the UFC’s most promising stars for the future of the promotion. But he’s failed to back up his talent with his activities, dealing with various health issues in recent years.

A win over Whittaker at UFC 308 could potentially be enough for Chimaev to earn a middleweight title shot. UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis is expected to face Sean Strickland for his next title defense.

Chimaev is leaving no stone unturned ahead of his highly-anticipated UFC comeback. As for Rockhold, he got to see first-hand the headaches that Chimaev deals out on the mats.