Why Did Khamzat Chimaev Retire? Know the Controversial Episode in the UFC Star’s MMA Career?

The noted UFC welterweight Khamzat Chimaev is easily one of the scariest fighters on the entire UFC roster. How Chimaev dominates his opponents inside the octagon has startled fans multiple times. Even in his last UFC fight, the Chechen finished off his rival, Kevin Holland, in the very first round of the bout. However, UFC fans may have missed out on several fights if he chose to stand by a decision he took in 2021.

‘Borz’ decision in 2021 startled even the most powerful person in his homeland of Chechnya. He also took to his Instagram to announce that he would be retiring from the sport of MMA in a 2021 post. Chimaev had just started showcasing his prowess in the UFC back then. He also boasted a remarkable 3-0 record in the UFC. Hence, the news of his retirement came as a severe shock to a lot of fans as well. But what exactly compelled the Chechen to declare retirement just a year after his entry into the UFC?

Why did Khamzat Chimaev retire from MMA in 2021?

A large chunk of UFC fans may be aware of the fact that Chimaev had to go through a near-death experience once. He got infected by the lethal COVID-19 virus at the end of 2020. However, his obsession with fighting is also a known fact. The 29-year-old kept training in spite of his COVID-19 infection. Most fans might also know how the deadly ‘Coronavirus’ attacks the respiratory system of an infected person.

Chimaev’s COVID-19 infection left him with severely reduced lung capacity. The UFC CEO, Dana White, flew him to Vegas and arranged for his treatment. In a later interview, White revealed that Chimaev should have chilled, relaxed, and let himself recover apart from taking regular medication of the “nasty fu**ing steroid, prednisone”. However, ‘Borz’ never took notice of this and continued with his usual training routine.

It was the UFC CEO, White, who detailed what happened to Chimaev in an interview with ‘MMA Fighting’. “He went in and f*cking trained today, felt like sh*t, and got super emotional and posted that”. It’s quite apparent that Chimaev didn’t feel the same ease while training that day. On top of all, the rigorous routine put a lot of pressure on his lungs and he even coughed up blood. This is what led to him declaring his retirement on Instagram, feeling that he was finished.

White said, “He just got emotional and posted that, but he ain’t quitting” in his MMA Fighting interview pretty easily. But, an ‘X’ update from the noted MMA coverage personality, Ariel Helwani, back then revealed that getting Chimaev back wasn’t as easy as White mentioned.

The Chechen Republic Leader, Ramzan Kadyrov Brought Khamzat Chimaev back

The infamous Chechen warlord, Ramzan Kadyrov, may be considered a tyrant looking at the atrocities he has committed against humanity. But he played a major part in bringing Chimaev back. Helwani’s tweet talked about an Instagram update from Kadyrov, which described a phone call that the warlord had with Chimaev.

READ MORE – Has Khamzat Chimaev Ever Lost in His MMA Career? UFC Star’s Finishes, Record and More

It revealed Kadyrov’s words, which partially read, “I told him that the WHOLE Chechen people were upset with this news. I reminded Chimaev that all our youth, whom he inspires, have great hopes for his victory.” His post also mentioned, “During our conversation, Chimaev realized how important his career is to every Chechen citizen and promised to make every effort to recover as soon as possible.”

Kadyrov’s post also revealed that Chimaev will finish the rehabilitation course in Chechnya and start training. He laid special stress on, “HE REMAINS AND WILL FIGHT TO THE END!” Chimaev could have retired without a blemish in his pro-MMA career back then too. But he would have missed out on a lot of fame and wealth if he did so. But do you think he will be able to maintain his undefeated record when he takes on the noted former UFC Welterweight Champ, Kamaru Usman, at UFC 294 on October 21?

Watch this Story – Conor McGregor’s Insane 2022: Insane Bulk Up, ‘NSFW’ Yacht Video, Joe Rogan Beef and More