Khamzat Chimaev burst onto the UFC scene with incredible hype, largely due to his bold intentions to fight as frequently as possible. His rapid rise and dominant performances had fans convinced he would claim UFC gold with ease. However, the path to the top wasn’t as smooth as expected. Chimaev faced significant challenges, including severe health issues, which sidelined him and slowed his momentum.
In 2021, Khamzat Chimaev suffered from COVID-19 and was extremely unwell. The fighter was having trouble with respiration, which almost forced the ‘Borz’ to retire from fighting. During that time, Chimaev was training at the Xtreme Couture gym led by Sean Strickland’s coach, Eric Nicksick. In a recent interview, the popular coach talked about Chimaev’s brutal condition back then.
I was there when he had that long COVID and he was coughing up blood in my gym. It was a serious health risk during that time.
Eric Nicksick via TNT Sports
During his time at Xtreme Couture, Khamzat Chimaev sparred with the former middleweight champion. Their relationship has deteriorated, with Chimaev claiming he submitted Strickland in sparring and threatening to release the footage. Sean Strickland, in return, mocked Chimaev for his ties to Ramzan Kadyrov, a controversial Chechen leader.
😳Coach Eric Nicksick reveals Khamzat Chimaev was coughing up blood during training sessions because of long COVID struggles:
“I was there when he had that long COVID and he was coughing up blood in my gym. It was a serious health risk during that time”
🎥@tntsports 🔹 pic.twitter.com/Xv4pgpyiqZ
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) October 25, 2024
Chimaev’s departure from Xtreme Couture was mostly due to a change in his training preferences. He desired to focus on his long-standing camp at Allstars Training Centre in Sweden. However, the fighter has now moved to the UAE and created a new team to help him prepare for fights.
Khamzat Chimaev makes weight at UFC 308
Apart from the hype around Khamzat Chimaev, there has been a narrative that the undefeated fighter doesn’t take his weight cuts seriously. It started at UFC 279 after he came in 7.5 pounds over the welterweight limit for his fight against Nate Diaz. As a result, the fight was scrapped, and Chimaev defeated Kevin Holland at catchweight.
Khamzat Chimaev (via X)After this mishap, Chimaev moved to the middleweight division and has since fought former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Going into UFC 308 against Robert Whittaker, many fans doubted Chimaev’s ability to make weight. Fortunately, the fighter successfully made weight and came in 186 lbs with only 12 minutes left on the clock.
🚨 Khamzat Chimaev successfully makes weight – 186 lbs. He has 12 minutes left on the clock 😅
The fight is ON! pic.twitter.com/Brw6BAFtJx
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) October 25, 2024
It seems like moving to the UAE and recovering from depression has really transformed Chimaev. On top of it, the fighter decided to change his attitude towards fighting after becoming a father. At UFC 308, the ‘Borz’ promised fans a quick finish on his opponent.
