After a series of setbacks and health concerns resulting in fight cancellations, Khamzat Chimaev has made the decision to collaborate with his original wrestling coach to reconsider his training regimen and prioritize his well-being. Since 2020, Chimaev has encountered challenges in maintaining a consistent fight schedule, experiencing six canceled matches along the way. His most recent withdrawal from a headline fight against Robert Whittaker in Saudi Arabia due to an unforeseen illness underscored the necessity for a different approach. In a bid to address these issues, Chimaev has reconnected with renowned wrestling coach Salim Noutsalkhanov to emphasize recovery over exhaustive training sessions. By adopting this new strategy, Chimaev is striving to enhance his performance and steer clear of future health complications.
Chimaev is slated to make his return to the arena on October 26 at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi for a rematch against Robert Whittaker. While Dana White has indicated that Sean Strickland will vie for the middleweight championship against Dricus Du Plessis, a noteworthy showing from Chimaev could potentially influence these plans.
