Chimaev threatens UFC hiatus if no fight materialises before year's end

Khamzat Chimaev has put the UFC on notice, warning that he will take a break from competition if no fight is arranged for him by the end of 2025, with the middleweight contender revealing he has been carrying multiple injuries that require surgery.

Speaking to Adam Zubayraev, Chimaev said he had initially targeted a return in October in Abu Dhabi but that the situation has now become more complicated. “If nothing happens in October or December, I think I’ll take a little break,” he said. “I have a lot of injuries that I need to get treated. I’ve been putting off my surgeries, putting them off, putting them off, and I go into every fight with some kind of problem. I don’t really like talking about my problems or injuries. People already know that I get sick often. That’s just how it is with me.”

The admission marks a notable shift in tone from a fighter who has long projected an image of invincibility. Chimaev, known as “Borz”, has previously competed while compromised by health issues and says he is no longer willing to do so.

The timing creates a scheduling puzzle for the UFC. Chimaev has been pushing for a title shot and a rematch with current middleweight champion Sean Strickland, but Nassourdine Imavov is strongly rumoured to be next in line for a crack at the 185-pound title. That leaves Chimaev needing to accept a fight against another contender if he is to compete before the year is out — or risk the health concerns forcing his hand entirely.

It would not be the first time Chimaev has stepped back from the sport. He took an extended absence earlier in his UFC career after contracting a serious illness, and the prospect of another hiatus will concern fans and matchmakers alike given his status as one of the division’s most compelling figures.