After much doubt, Khamzat Chimaev returned in usual emphatic ‘Borz’ fashion at the pay-per-view (PPV) co-main event of UFC 308. Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) ran through former 185-pound champ Robert Whittaker for a first-round submission. Said submission was so hard that it tore through the Reaper’s jaw.
Khamzat Chimaev’s Round-1 submission (face crank) – at the 3:34 mark broke through the lower digits on Robert Whittaker’s jaw. Agent Titus Day also he said he had really bad abscess on his jaw before flying out at UFC on ABC 6. Given the clinical implications on his last few outings, Chimaev wanted to reach out to check on the opponent.
In the fight, I already knew something was broken…I heard soemthing crunch – I felt sorry for the guy… Now the guy needs to be repaired. My team tried to find him. We wanted to shake his hand
Khamzat Chimaev said for the ‘Hustle’ Vlog; @adam.zuba/IG🎥 HUSTLE podcast
🔥🤝Khamzat Chimaev felt sorry for Robert Whittaker after the fight:
“I felt sorry for the guy… My team tried to find him. We wanted to shake his hand.”
🎥 HUSTLE podcast ▫️ pic.twitter.com/BdsikqCAvk
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) November 26, 2024
While nothing was said, Khamzat Chimaev positioned himself in for title contention with his tremendous win at UFC 308. However, said win did not come easy; before that he had to face his own array of clinical dissaspointments. This was a rebooking of their fight night top bill UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov. The Chechen ‘Borz’ pulled out due to falling ill in camp.
So he knows what failing health can do to a top-tier athlete and hence wanted to reach out. Since then, Whittaker has cued in on his recovery and is in a better place. Chances are, both camp might have even got in touch. As for Chimaev’s own health and his return to the epitome scale of performance, his doctor gave some insights into it.
Dietitian Matteo Capodaglio reveals how Khamzat Chimaev prepared for UFC 308
Chimaev made waves when he defeated the prominent Robert Whittaker in dominant fashion. However, there were much doubt in reserve that it might not even come to be. The Chechen fighter has had a streak of weight misses and health issues. His UFC 294 Pay-per-view majority decision over a short-notice opponent billing did not help clear up perceptions before that.
Insider gives information about Khamzat Chimaev’s health (Source: X)He enlisted the help of Dr. Matteo Capodaglio. Capodaglio works with the likes of number one UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan and former title challenger Marvin Vettori. Chimaev has endured a number of health issues over the past year, including his first fight cancelled at UFC on ABC 6 in June.
Capodaglio discussed how Khamzat Chimaev avoided overtraining for this camp while maintaining his intensity.
I can do as much as I want when it comes to nutrition, but if the training volume is overwhelming, it doesn’t matter…I think the rest of the team did a great job, and Khamzat did a great job of understanding this. Not just macronutrient periodization but also training periodization…The training sessions were intense, but they were not never ending. So, the reduction of training volume, I guess compared to his previous camp [helped]
Dr. Matteo Capodaglio to MMA Junkie
In the run-up to UFC 308, Chimaev mentioned the possibility of a return to the welterweight division. Capodaglio thinks middleweight is optimal, but doesn’t see a drop back down as impossible. Capodaglio helped former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt make flyweight. The brass is also projecting him as a No. 1 seed, and hoping for a stateside title fight next year. The fighter would be needing all such measures in place for that.
