Tag: MMA

Borz’ Khamzat Chimaev changed up his usual training routine in preparation for his middleweight bout against Robert Whittaker this weekend at UFC 308. The match is set to go down live from Abu Dhabi and could very well have title implications on the line.

Khamzat Chimaev in the Mountains

The Reaper’ Robert Whittaker is a former division champion who is known for his multiple wars against Yoel Romero, and Israel Adesanya, among others. With an impressive win, Khamzat Chimaev or Whittaker could align themselves for being next in line for a shot at the middleweight throne.

Knowing how big the stakes are, ‘Borz‘ upended his whole life after a series of illnesses and moved to the mountains for this training camp. Speaking in an interview with TNT Sports, ‘Borz’ explained:

“I’ve been in the mountains. I’ve never trained in the mountains before; I heard many people talk about it, so this was my first experience. It was good, and for the upcoming fights, I will do the same thing. Now, I’m in good shape, good health, and I have good energy as well.

“we’ve been on one of the highest mountains in Europe, training up there, and then we come down slowly—one mountain up there, one mountain in the middle. Then we come back here for three or four weeks.”

“In the beginning, it was very tough. It’s hard training in the mountains, you know? But it’s good for conditioning.“

On fighting in Abu Dhabi, he added:

“We’ve been here a long time. In the summer, it’s very hot here. I was sick three times in the last three weeks and ended up in the hospital. It was a bad time, but we’re back. Health is good. I’m prepared for a fight, usually as I do, so I’m ready.”

Reflecting on his multiple sicknesses, Khamzat Chimaev explained:

“A lot of things happened after that. After COVID, I had surgeries and many things, but I’ve had eight broken bones and six surgeries in my life. I’m still here, still fighting. Whatever hard things happen to you makes you stronger.”

Coming into UFC 308, Khamzat Chimaev revealed contemporary training with a renowned coach Salim Noutsalkhanov who coached wrestlers at the Olympics and national level. It was in preparation for his middleweight matchup against Robert Whittaker taking place in Abu Dhabi.

Khamzat Chimaev Wrestling Training for UFC 308

Salim Noutsalkhanov is a highly respected wrestling coach with a track record of developing champions. Notably, he worked with three-time Olympic gold medalist Buvaisar Saitiev for the Beijing Olympics, in addition to national champions.

‘Borz’ credits Noutsalkhanov with implementing a “better approach” to training that allows for adequate recovery time. The change aims to prevent the health issues and hospitalizations Khamzat Chimaev has experienced in the past due to overtraining. It also connects to him the grassroots of how he started given that Noutsalkhanov was his very first wrestling coach.

Speaking in an interview with TNT Sports, Khamzat Chimaev explained:

“Yeah, with my old coach. I trained with him when I was young; he was a coach for the national team in Chechnya. He focused on older guys who were competing for senior levels. Now, we’re starting again … There’s nobody here; it’s a closed space for Olympic wrestlers. They gave me the gym, food, and everything. It’s just my team and me—a perfect place to focus on training and recovery.”

For this training camp, ‘Borz’ Khamzat Chimaev committed himself to training for UFC 308 by traveling to the mountains. He said:

“It’s different from the camps in the city. Traveling back and forth, friends and all these distractions can ruin your training. In Stockholm, everyone knows me, and if someone is sick, they come to me, shake my hand, hug me, and I catch whatever they have.”

‘Borz’ will look to potentially set himself up for a middleweight title shot with a win against the former champion Robert Whittaker this weekend.