Khamzat Chimaev Says He’s Resumed Training After COVID-19 Nearly Ended Career

Khamzat Chimaev is the REAL DEAL

INSANE. #UFCVegas11 pic.twitter.com/kqbhHJYJS3

— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) September 20, 2020

It appears that Khamzat Chimaev is on the way to making a full recovery.

In an interview with ESPN, the burgeoning welterweight star revealed that he has resumed training and is hoping to return to UFC competition by August. Chimaev hinted at retirement in early March after lingering effects from COVID-19 forced him to pull out of proposed bookings against Leon Edwards on Jan. 20 and March 13.

"If you are sick, you cannot think about [a] fight," Chimaev told ESPN. "I was thinking, 'One month, sick. Then still, two months. When am I going to be finished with this s---?' I'm healthy now, hungry again. I want to get back and smash somebody and make money."

Chimaev was flown to Las Vegas earlier this year to receive treatment from UFC medical staff for his ongoing issues. He revealed in his latest interview that he also recently underwent an operation in his native Chechnya to further address his condition, and it helped significantly. He did not give specific details regarding that procedure.

"When I come back to my country, they helped me and did an operation that took some stuff, I don't know how to explain in English," Chimaev said. "Now, I feel much better. I can't wait. I am more than 93 kilos [205 pounds], feeling stronger. I just started to train with my team, and I will find [an opponent] to kill.”

UFC president Dana White previously stated that Chimaev’s conditioned worsened when he began training at high intensity before he supposed to do so. Chimaev admitted that was part of the problem initially, as he posted photos on social media of blood in the sink following that session.

"When I go to sparring, I told [manager Ali Abdelaziz], 'I'm only going to do pads,' but this was lying," Chimaev said. "I jumped in grappling sparring, did three rounds. Feel bad in my chest, I said, 'Coach, I go out.' I go home and start to [cough] blood. I was never scared about my life. I'm scared about what my mom is going to do after I die. My mom, my brothers … I was thinking, 'What are they gonna do after I die?' I start with this MMA s---t because of my family. I want to make some good life with them.”

Chimaev was a breakout star in 2020, earning dominant finishes of John Phillips, Rhys McKee and Gerald Meerschaert to quickly become a person of interest in the UFC at 170 pounds. The promotion already tabbed him for big things by booking him in a headlining position opposite Edwards, and Chimaev still has plenty of motivation to show the world what he can do and deliver on that hype.

"I think it's [the] right decision," Chimaev said. "I only did [three fights in the UFC]. I didn't show who I am. People still talk, 'Ah, he beat bulls—t guys.' That makes me [feel] inside somewhere -- now I have to show these people who I am and smash everybody, take my belt. I am MMA Mike Tyson. MMA Muhammad Ali. I'm going to show everybody.”