Chimaev UFC Injury Timeline
For a fighter as ferocious and feared as Khamzat Chimaev, you’d be forgiven for thinking nothing could keep “Borz” out of the cage. Yet, as UFC fans now know all too well, the Swedish-Chechen phenom has spent almost as much time on the sidelines as he has inside the Octagon since bursting onto the scene in 2020. With his long-anticipated UFC 319 title fight against Dricus Du Plessis on the horizon, it’s worth looking back at the obstaclesmore specifically, the injuries and withdrawalsthat have tried (and failed) to halt the Chimaev hype train.
A Meteoric Rise… and a Sudden Pause
Chimaev’s rise was nothing short of supernatural. In just 66 days, he racked up three wins and three performance bonuses, bulldozing opponents with barely a scratch. Fans began calling him the second coming of Khabibwith hands. His blend of wrestling dominance and murderous intent became must-see TV for UFC fans starving for a new heir to the welterweight throne.
But then… crickets. What followed was a stop-start journey full of injury setbacks, visa delays, health scares, and more rescheduled fights than a cursed wedding.
The Timeline of Trials: Chimaev’s Injury Roadmap
- March 2021 – COVID-19 Aftermath nearly ends his career: Chimaev contracted COVID-19 in late 2020 while training in Las Vegas. What followed wasn’t just a mild cough. He experienced lingering symptoms and complications, with things getting so serious that he literally announced his retirement on Instagram in March 2021, stating, “I think I’m done.”
- October 2021 – Withdraws from UFC 267: Slated to return in Abu Dhabi at UFC 267, Chimaev reportedly suffered extended issues related to long COVID. The UFC removed him from the event, citing “health complications,” though official details were murky.
- April 2022 – Shoulder and visa delays hamper momentum: After smashing Li Jingliang in a violent return in October 2021, hopes were high. He was linked to Gilbert Burns immediately. But training interruptions due to visa delays and a nagging shoulder injury pushed the fight to April. Still, he pulled off a war with Burns that cemented his status as the division’s most terrifying rising star.
- October 2022 – UFC 279 reshuffle madness: Originally set to fight Nate Diaz, Chimaev missed weight by a full 7.5 pounds at the UFC 279 weigh-ins. Rumors swirled around a botched weight cut and underlying injury. While no specific injury was confirmed, insiders whispered about a compromised training camp. The incident ultimately forced a reshuffling of the card, and Chimaev ended up steamrolling Kevin Holland in a catchweight bout.
- Fall 2023 – Extended layoff due to injury: Despite clamoring for a title shot, Chimaev went radio silent. UFC CEO Dana White explained the inactivity as due to ongoing medical issues. While rumors ranged from knee injuries to another health scare, the exact nature remained vagueadding to the mystique. Still, Chimaev didn’t fight for the entirety of 2023. Fans grew restless.
- May 2024 – Withdraws from UFC Saudi Arabia main event: Booked to headline UFC’s debut event in Saudi Arabia against former middleweight champ Robert Whittaker, everything looked set. Then, just weeks before the date, Chimaev pulled out due to illness, scrapping a crucial title eliminator bout. The UFC had to scramble for a new headliner.
Enter UFC 319 – Du Plessis Awaits
Now, it appears Chimaev has cleared the cobwebs and rehab rooms. The UFC officially announced that Chimaev will finally compete for the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 319 against current titleholder Dricus Du Plessis. It’s a bout two years in the making, and one that fans are praying doesn’t join the long list of scratched engagements that have marred Chimaev’s career.
Du Plessis, known for his own gritty resilience and chaotic striking style, is no walk in the park. The South African is chomping at the bit to welcome Chimaev back and finally put to test the aura that’s been building since 2020.
The Verdict: Real or Myth?
For all the setbacks, what keeps fans invested in Chimaev is the unshakeable belief that when healthy, this man might just be the most dominant force in the sport. We’ve seen flasheswell, more like full-on sonic boomsof what he’s capable of inside the cage. But in MMA, potential is a perishable asset. Only time will tell if these injuries are unfortunate blips or a chronic trend that defines his career.
For now, the countdown to UFC 319 is on. If healthy and focused, Chimaev may finally claim the belt many assumed he’d already own by now. But remember: with “Borz,” it’s never just about who he’s fighting…
It’s about whether he makes it to the cage at all.
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Keep it locked to MMA Mania and UFC.com for breaking updates as we track Chimaev’s journey to UFC 319.
