It seems that Khamzat Chimaev may not be done fighting yet.
While a cryptic Instagram post on Monday cast doubt on whether the rapidly rising prospect would continue its octagonal run, UFC President Dana White said Chimaev – who is currently under trial in Las Vegas for a lingering case of COVID-19 – had an emotional moment. . but is not ready to call it a career.
“When he got here, the doctors took care of him, and they gave him prednisone, which is a nasty f * cking steroid,” White told MMA Junkie. “So he’s on prednisone, and he should take this thing and chill, relax and let himself recover. He went in and f * cking trained today, felt bad, got super emotional and put that.
“He’s not supposed to be training, but you know, this guy is a savage. He wants to fight like every damn weekend, and now he can’t even work out, so he just got emotional and posted that, but he’s not stopping. “
Originally posted in Russian, a Google translation of Chimaev’s text certainly made it look like he was ready to retire. Add photos to Instagram Stories of what looks like blood in a sink, and the condition clearly didn’t seem positive to the 26-year-old prospect (
I want to thank everyone for their support on my path in this sport я I think I’m done, yes, I know I didn’t take the belt, but this is not the most important win in this life, it can upset you but my heart and body tell me everything.
I want to say a big thank you to my team @allstarsgymeweden 🙏🏼
I want to say a big 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 Chechnya-born fighter will make his return to the octagon in June.
But first he has to follow up on the doctor’s suggestions.
“He flew here so we could take care of him,” White said. “We’ll take care of him. They gave him medicine. He’s gonna be fine, and he goes in and starts f * cking training. He’s not supposed to work out, and he’s super frustrated.
‘He trains when he should be resting. He should stay off, at least as long as he’s on this drug. “
Chimaev (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) last saw action last September when he scored a 17-second knockout against middleweight Gerald Meerschaert. The win marked the undefeated Chimaev’s third UFC win in his first two months on the squad.