via Imago
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 19: (R-L) Khamzat Chimaev of Chechnya punches Gerald Meerschaert in their middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
via Imago
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 19: (R-L) Khamzat Chimaev of Chechnya punches Gerald Meerschaert in their middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Khamzat Chimaev has been struggling for the past few months with some major health issues. In some unfortunate news for fight fans, the UFC welterweight and middleweight prospect has seemingly been overwhelmed by those struggles as he announced a shock retirement on Instagram.
‘Borz’ has been scheduled for a fight against top welterweight Leon Edwards multiple times in the past few months. But after Edwards’ problems the first time around, Chimaev had withdrawn from the contest the next two times.
Those withdrawls were mostly because of his health issues as he has been suffering from coronavirus for a long time now.
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“I want to say thank you to everyone for their support in my path in this sport я I think I’m done, yes, I know that I didn’t take the belt, but this is not the most important victory in this life, it may upset you, but my heart and body tell me everything. I want to say a huge thank you to my team. I want to say thank you so much,” Chimaev wrote on Instagram in Russian.
Whether it was a sudden emotional decision based on his recurring health issue or if it was a well-thought post is not yet confirmed. The idea of Chimaev retiring at the age of 26 as an undefeated prospect is hard to swallow. He was touted for bigger things inside the Octagon in his future.
The Russian fighter’s star was starting to shine higher than ever after 3 wins in his first 3 UFC events. He last competed in October against Gerald Meerschaert as he knocked out the veteran middleweight in 17 seconds. And a fight against Edwards was expected to be the Chechen native’s path to UFC gold.
Is Khamzat Chimaev actually retired?
There seems to be some sort of miscommunication between ‘Borz’ and the audience regarding his latest retirement news. According to sources, UFC President Dana White contacted Chimaev after his post, and he is still on track for a possible return in June.
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Just spoke with UFC president Dana White after he talked with Khamzat Chimaev. According to White, Chimaev is not retiring and is still on track to return in June. Full story on MMA Junkie shortly.
— John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) March 2, 2021
He was either really emotional due to his recurring health issues or there was a translation issue in his latest post. As mentioned earlier, it’s highly unlikely a 26-year-old world beater like him will retire at a tender age, especially when he has just started making his mark.
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What did you make of Khamzat Chimaev’s retirement post? Is there any truth behind the smoke?
