Khamzat Chimaev is eager to reclaim the UFC middleweight title but recognizes that another immediate shot at the belt is unlikely. In the meantime, he is focused on staying active with the UFC, including his upcoming fight against longtime rival Gilbert Burns this Saturday in Miami, while also addressing some persistent injuries. Although Chimaev’s health has been a major concern in the past, the Chechen powerhouse assures fans that any time he takes off to recover will be brief.
“I want to fight,” Chimaev told MMA Fighting on Thursday. “These aren’t serious injuries that keep me from sparring. It’s just my hands—since I punch hard, they often get injured and I need to fix them. It won’t take long. If I do take a break, it’ll only be one or two months, and I’ll still be training and recovering.”
Chimaev has been vocal on social media about wanting a new fight as soon as possible. While the UFC hasn’t made any official announcements, rumors suggest that current middleweight champion Sean Strickland is set to defend his title against Nassourdine Imavov before the end of 2025. With Strickland occupied, Chimaev has shifted his focus to Caio Borralho, who accepted his challenge. However, Borralho is recovering from an injury and expects to be ready by November or December.
Regarding the championship, Chimaev clearly aims to reclaim the title following a narrow loss to Strickland in May. While he doesn’t seem fixated on revenge against Strickland himself, he wants to face whoever emerges as the next champion.
“I’d be happy to fight either Nassourdine or Sean, whoever returns first,” Chimaev said. “It’s going to be a tough fight. But I’m aiming for Nassourdine.”
Fan Take: Chimaev’s persistence and hunger to get back to the top make him one of the most compelling figures in the middleweight division. His upcoming bouts and eventual title chase could shake up the division and bring exciting matchups that fight fans have been eagerly awaiting.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
