For fans in the MMA sphere, Khamzat Chimaev has looked virtually unstoppable ever since he arrived in the UFC in 2020. With a 13-0 professional record and a 7-0 streak in the UFC so far, there’s no denying ‘Borz’s status as one of the most dangerous men to step into the Octagon. But while he might be known for his unyielding toughness inside the cage, outside of it, he faces a battle that transcends the Octagon.

As he prepares for his biggest test yet at UFC 308 when he takes on former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, Chimaev recently opened up about a deeply personal struggle — his young son’s ongoing health issues. In a candid interview, Chimaev pulled back the curtain on a softer, more vulnerable side of himself and revealed that even the toughest warriors have to face battles beyond the bright lights of the UFC.

Khamzat Chimaev pulls back the curtain on his son’s health problems and plans after UFC 308

In a recent conversation with Brett Okamoto, Khamzat Chimaev was asked what his plans were after he gets done with his UFC 308 fight against ‘The Reaper’. Chimaev, known for his stoic demeanor, responded by stating, “I going back to Sweden. My son has one surgery, has second one but everything’s good… One more after the fight, so after that my son will be healthy so yeah…”

It was a brief but heartfelt comment, filled with the weight of a father’s concern. For any parent, watching their child endure health issues is a heart-wrenching ordeal. For Chimaev, this struggle is happening simultaneously with his preparations for a high-stakes fight against Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 adding more layers to the weight of this clash on him.

When asked how it feels to be a dad, Chimaev responded by simply stating, “It’s difficult, so I don’t know, so it’s fun yeah…”  ‘Borz’ also shared a glimpse into the specific medical issue his son is facing, mentioning that it involves his kidney. He stated, “He has one kidney, some problem…” visibly grappling with the difficulty of explaining the medical terminology in English.

Despite his limited description, the gravity of the situation was clear. His son’s condition has required multiple surgeries, with one more scheduled after UFC 308. The balancing act between family and fighting is not unique to Chimaev, but his story serves as a reminder that even the fiercest competitors have to worry about more than just their opponents before the Octagon door closes behind them.

For fans who see Khamzat Chimaev as the undefeated wrecking machine, this glimpse into his personal life offers a new perspective. It’s a side that many haven’t seen before — one that humanizes him in a way that no fight highlight reel ever could. But despite dealing with several health issues of his own, the Chechen warrior recently indicated that he’s bringing a different mindset and training approach to UFC 308.

‘Borz’ makes huge changes to camp, coaches and more to prepare for ‘The Reaper’

It’s been a year since Khamzat Chimaev last set foot in the Octagon at UFC 294 against Kamaru Usman. But in making his way back to UFC 308, he hasn’t had an easy route. Health issues, career delays, and personal battles have made his return to competition more complicated than fans might have realized.

Speaking to Adam Zubayraev of ‘Hustle Vlog’, Chimaev recently confessed, “Well, you could say that my depression has disappeared. There were a lot of problems before, I solved a lot of things. Thank God, everything is fine now. I’m human too, I also have my own problems. They needed to be solved…”

To regain control of his career, Chimaev revealed that he has also made significant changes to his approach. He reunited with his old wrestling coach, a mentor who has helped him return to his roots. He also overhauled his training regimen, ensuring proper rest and recovery – something he admitted was previously neglected.

‘Borz’ stated, “I’ve moved to another team, everything is great. Doctors, pharmacologists, nutritionists, everyone. I’ve never had such a team. I even usually took vitamins incorrectly before. I was just training in the gym and fighting.”

To put it simply, Khamzat Chimaev’s journey to UFC 308 has been a story of resilience. From a fighter trying to make changes to his training and mindset to being a father grappling with his son’s health struggles, this glimpse into his personal life highlights a man balancing the weight of family with the pressure of a high-stakes fight. Will all of this be the fuel he needs to face the daunting challenge that Robert Whittaker poses at UFC 308? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!