After all, it seems like Khamzat Chimaev can’t finish fighting.
Although a cryptic Instagram post left doubts on Monday about whether the prospect of a rapid rise would continue his octagonal career, UFC President Dana White said Chimaev – who is currently in Las Vegas receiving treatment for a persistent case of COVID-19– had an emotional moment but is not prepared to call it a race.
“When he got here, the doctors took care of him and put him on prednisone, which is a nasty steroid,” White told MMA Junkie. So he has prednisone and he is supposed to be taking this thing and he shudders, relaxes and lets himself recover. He came in and trained today, he felt like shit, he got excited and posted this.
“He is not supposed to be training, but you know, this guy is a savage. He wants to fight like every fun weekend, and now he can’t even train, so he got excited and posted this, but he doesn’t stop smoking. “
Originally published in Russian, a Google translation of Chimaev’s text no doubt made it look like he was ready to retire. Add photos to Instagram Stories of what appears to be blood in a sink, and the condition clearly didn’t look positive for the 26-year-old prospect (
I want to thank everyone for their support on my path in this sport. I think I’m done, yes, I know I didn’t take the belt, but this is not the most important victory in this life, it may bother you, but my heart and my body tell me everything.
I want to give a huge thank you to my team @allstarsgymsweden 🙏🏼
I want to say a huge thank you @ufc 🙏🏼
Chimaev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from MMA Junkie. However, White said he spoke directly with Chimaev and said he still believes the Chechen-born fighter will make his return to the octagon in June.
First, however, you must follow the doctor’s orders.
“He was moved here so he could take care of him,” White said. “We take care of him. They got it with medication. He’ll be fine, come in and start training. He is not supposed to be training and is very frustrated.
“He is training when he is supposed to rest. He must stay out, at least while taking this medicine.
Chimaev (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) last operated last September, when he scored a 17-second tie in the middleweight Gerald Meerschaert. The win marked the third UFC victory, unbeaten for Chimaev, in his first two months on the roster.