“I’m looking forward to him getting a title fight in ’25. We’ll see how this plays out here, but I want him to fight in the United States,” said UFC CEO Dana White after Khamzat Chimaev demolished Robert Whittaker at UFC 308. The Chechen Wolf is undoubtedly on a hot streak and is already back in training, preparing for his next challenge. But the big question on everyone’s mind is: Who will he face next?

Fans and MMA pundits have been speculating about Chimaev’s potential opponents with many predicting him to face to winner of the rematch between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland set to take place at UFC 312. Moreover, ‘Borz’ himself seems to have a clear vision for his future. Chimaev has reportedly communicated his demands directly to Dana White, making it clear whom he wants to face next in the Octagon. Let’s take a look!

Khamzat Chimaev weighs in on his future inside the Octagon 

In a recent interview with Aslanbek Badaev during his joint training camp, Khamzat Chimaev discussed his victory over Robert Whittaker and shared his goals for 2025. The Chechen fighter has made it clear that he intends to fight twice in the year, setting ambitious plans in motion.

When the host inquired whether these fights could take place around May or June 2025, Chimaev confirmed with a simple affirmative. He continued, “Well yes, after Ramadan they will give me a little time to get in shape and fight, and then in October in Abu Dhabi to have two fights in this year in 2025 to win the belt.”

This news was also shared on X by Kevin K., who wrote, “Khamzat Chimaev wants a May or June Title Shot for his Next Fight. ‘Borz’ then wants to defend his title on the October Card in Abu Dhabi Per Aslanbek_Badaev Interview.”

However, even the most dominant fighters face setbacks, often due to the challenges posed by their bodies. Chimaev has had his fair share of struggles, dealing with frequent illnesses and undergoing surgeries. While he managed to overcome these hurdles before his fight with Robert Whittaker, questions remain: are those health issues truly behind him?

Khamzat Chimaev’s fistfight with his own physical health

In a recent appearance on Hustle Show #21, Khamzat Chimaev opened up to Adam Zubayraev about his struggles with health and the toll that constant training and competition have taken on his body. Reflecting on his challenges, Chimaev shared candidly, “I don’t even know, [they were both] comfortable and uncomfortable. What happened is in the past, and I don’t think about them.”

In the same conversation, Chimaev revealed a shocking piece of news that few knew about. “I got sick often. If you take all of them together – I’ve had five to six surgeries, I think, and seven or eight fractures.” He even dropped a bombshell: at one point, doctors had told him he would no longer be able to fight. But Chimaev remains defiant, stating, “So far, I’m proving that I will.”

This unwavering determination highlights the fire and tenacity that ‘Borz’ embodies. While he has faced vicious opponents, jumped weight classes, and lived up to fans’ high expectations, Chimaev is human at the end of the day. Even as one of the UFC’s top fighters, he isn’t invincible. The question now is whether Chimaev can achieve his goal of fighting twice in 2025 as he envisions.

Will Dana White fulfill his wishes? Or will health and other factors play a role in shaping his journey? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!