After a tumultuous three weeks of visiting hospitals in Dubai, Khamzat Chimaev has returned to Chechnya.
Whatever mystery illness that struck him down also wrecked his chance to headline the first UFC card in Saudi Arabia. There’s talk of him fighting at an upcoming October pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi, but is he healthy enough to book?
During a detailed interview at Lake Kezenoyam, Aslanbek Badaev expressed his optimism regarding a triumphant return, as “Borz” shared his thoughts.
He stated that after consulting with multiple coaches, they recommended spending three weeks in the mountains for his well-being. At that time, he was dealing with a lung infection and other health issues. Fortunately, he has now fully recovered and is in the process of healing. The coaches now suggest that three days in the mountains would be sufficient. He expressed his contentment, finding comfort in this idea, and feeling like he is back home.
Chimaev speculates that the Middle Eastern climate might have contributed to his illness.
“This is a stark contrast. In Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s deserts, there is a lack of breathable air. So when you wake up, you step outside and try to take a deep breath, but it’s not possible. There’s only air conditioning. Even in the car, it’s all about air conditioning. Perhaps this is why I ended up falling ill. I spent a considerable amount of time there, meticulously preparing for three months, only to encounter gradual mishaps.”
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has called Chimaev home for rehabilitation back in 2021 when COVID-19 almost ended his career. Apparently Khamzat is once again getting the best medical attention the Caucasus have to offer.
Chimaev expressed, “There were no doctors of this caliber available to me there. I experienced immune failure. Despite taking a week to rest and recover, I did not fully regain my health. I sought medical attention due to severe headaches and was told it was attributed to stress. I stayed at the hospital for two days and then returned home for a week. Unfortunately, the symptoms resurfaced just three days later, leading me to be hospitalized once more.”
Currently, the middleweight contender is getting ready to exert his full potential at the gym and observe the outcome.
“We have exhausted our supply of antibiotics. During the second week, we gradually began to regain our fitness and initiate our training regimen. Initially, we focused solely on running, but this week we have transitioned into combat training. I’ve been informed that Dana White desires my participation in a fight in Abu Dhabi. If we expedite our progress, we can assess how well our initial preparations go. In all likelihood, we will then proceed to engage in the fight.”
