“I’ll Take a Little Break” – Khamzat Chimaev Reveals UFC Return Deadline

 The problem is that, for once, the former UFC Middleweight Champion may have to wait. Chimaev has been pushing the UFC for another fight after losing his title and unbeaten record to Sean Strickland at UFC 328. The Chechen initially hoped to return in October, but with potential opponents dealing with injuries and no fight coming together, “Borz” has now shifted his target to December. If that doesn't happen either, Chimaev may finally give his body the break it has been asking for.

Khamzat Chimaev is Running Out of Patience with His UFC Return

Chimaev (15-1-0) has never been particularly fond of waiting. Speaking recently to Adam Zubayraev of Red Corner MMA, the 32-year-old revealed that he has been carrying several injuries into his fights and has repeatedly postponed surgeries and other treatments.

If the UFC cannot secure him a matchup before the end of the year, he intends to step away temporarily to address those problems.

For a while, despite alarming health woes, "Borz" has built a reputation as a company man, famously fighting twice in just ten days early in his career. Even after capturing the middleweight title from Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319, he was eager to stay active and quickly made it clear that he wanted another fight.

Khamzat Chimaev Wants to Fight

That urgency has not changed, now. In fact, Chimaev recently tagged UFC CEO Dana White while asking the promotion to give him a fight so he could compete again in 2026. He has also made it clear that he would be willing to fight someone other than Strickland rather than sit around waiting for another title opportunity.

But finding the right opponent has proven difficult. Now with Strickland set for a collision course against Nassourdine Imavov, the former champion has been left in an awkward position. He has already moved his preferred return from October to December. And there is now a very real cutoff point.

“As for the fight, I’m trying to get one,” Chimaev said. “I was trying to get one in October, and now I’m trying for December. If nothing happens in October or December, I think I’ll take a little break.” In essence, Chimaev is simply acknowledging that if the promotion cannot give him a fight this year, there may be little reason to keep rushing back.

Chimaev has Been Fighting Through more than Fans Realized

The more revealing part of Chimaev's comments came when he explained why a break could actually be useful. The 32-year-old admitted that he has several injuries that need attention and that he has repeatedly put off surgeries because of his desire to keep fighting. That means the delays surrounding his next UFC appearance could eventually give him something he has rarely allowed himself: time to properly recover.

“I have a lot of injuries that I need to get treated,” Chimaev continued. “I’ve been putting off my surgeries, putting them off, putting them off, and I go into every fight with some kind of problem.”

Previously, he had opened up about his health struggles, but he admitted that he does not particularly enjoy discussing them publicly.

“I don’t really like talking about my problems or injuries,” he said. “People already know that I get sick often. That’s just how it is with me. I don’t have half of my thyroid gland. I’ve been under anaesthesia seven times and had six surgeries and a lot of injuries and I still do.”

In that context, while Chimaev's first loss may have cracked his invincible persona, it does not appear to have changed his desire to compete. He still wants the belt back, and he still wants another chance to prove that the Strickland loss does not define him.

For now, though, the biggest fight may simply be getting healthy. “The Almighty has ordained this for me,” Chimaev added when asked about his recurring health problems. “I still have to live my life.”