What Happened to Khamzat Khizarovich Chimaev?
Khamzat Chimaev, known as "Borz," is an undefeated Russian-Emirati professional mixed martial artist and the current UFC Middleweight Champion. He rose rapidly through the UFC ranks with a dominant wrestling style and quick finishes across multiple weight classes, despite facing significant health setbacks and periods of inactivity. He is scheduled to make his first title defense on May 9, 2026.
Quick Answer
Khamzat Chimaev is currently the undefeated UFC Middleweight Champion with a professional record of 15-0. He won the title by defeating Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025. Chimaev is scheduled to make his first title defense against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, in Newark, New Jersey. His career has been marked by dominant performances but also by health issues that have led to fight withdrawals.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Professional MMA Debut
Khamzat Chimaev made his professional mixed martial arts debut at International Ring Fight Arena 14, winning via TKO.
UFC Debut vs. John Phillips
Chimaev made his highly anticipated UFC debut at UFC on ESPN 13, defeating John Phillips via submission in the second round and earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
Record-Breaking Quick Turnaround vs. Rhys McKee
Just ten days after his debut, Chimaev fought and defeated Rhys McKee via TKO, setting a modern UFC record for the quickest turnaround between wins.
Fastest Three-Fight Streak vs. Gerald Meerschaert
Chimaev knocked out Gerald Meerschaert in just 17 seconds, completing his first three UFC fights in a record 66 days and earning another Performance of the Night.
COVID-19 Illness and Layoff
Chimaev suffered a severe case of COVID-19, leading to significant health complications, including lung issues, and a prolonged period of inactivity, causing him to consider retirement.
War with Gilbert Burns at UFC 273
In his toughest test yet, Chimaev defeated Gilbert Burns via unanimous decision in a thrilling bout that earned Fight of the Night honors and showcased his resilience.
Missed Weight for UFC 279, Fought Kevin Holland
Chimaev famously missed weight by 7.5 pounds for his scheduled main event against Nate Diaz, leading to a reshuffle where he fought and submitted Kevin Holland at a catchweight.
Return to Middleweight vs. Kamaru Usman
After a year-long layoff, Chimaev returned to the middleweight division, defeating former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman via majority decision at UFC 294.
Revealed Son's Health Issues
Ahead of UFC 308, Chimaev revealed that his infant son was dealing with a kidney health scare and was scheduled for surgery, contributing to his personal challenges.
Submission Win over Robert Whittaker
Chimaev submitted former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker via face crank in the first round at UFC 308, further solidifying his contender status.
Won UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 319
Khamzat Chimaev defeated Dricus du Plessis via unanimous decision at UFC 319 to become the undisputed UFC Middleweight Champion.
Hints at Light Heavyweight Move
Chimaev stated his intention to defend his middleweight title once more before potentially moving up to the light heavyweight division to pursue a second belt.
Expressed Interest in Boxing Conor McGregor
Ahead of his title defense, Chimaev publicly stated his interest in a one-off boxing match against Conor McGregor, calling him one of the best boxers in the UFC.
Scheduled Title Defense vs. Sean Strickland at UFC 328
Khamzat Chimaev is scheduled to make his first defense of the UFC Middleweight Championship against former titleholder Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Khamzat Chimaev burst onto the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) scene in 2020, quickly establishing himself as one of the most promising and dominant fighters in the sport. His aggressive, wrestling-heavy style, combined with powerful striking, allowed him to secure multiple quick finishes across both the welterweight and middleweight divisions. Chimaev's rapid ascent was unprecedented, setting a modern UFC record for the fastest three-fight winning streak in just 66 days.
However, Chimaev's career trajectory has also been punctuated by significant challenges, primarily recurring health issues. In late 2020 and early 2021, he suffered a severe bout of COVID-19, which led to a prolonged layoff and even prompted him to consider retirement due to lung complications. Although he returned to competition, subsequent illnesses and difficulties with weight cuts, notably missing weight for his scheduled main event against Nate Diaz at UFC 279 in September 2022, have caused several fight cancellations and reshuffles. His team and Chimaev himself have attributed some of these issues to his intense training regimen and a compromised immune system, potentially exacerbated by having half of his thyroid removed.
Despite these setbacks, Chimaev has maintained an undefeated professional record. After a notable win over former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman in October 2023, he faced and submitted former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker in October 2024. These victories solidified his position as a top contender in the middleweight division. A pivotal moment came on August 16, 2025, at UFC 319, where Khamzat Chimaev defeated Dricus du Plessis via unanimous decision to claim the UFC Middleweight Championship, marking the pinnacle of his MMA career to date.
As of May 3, 2026, Khamzat Chimaev is the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion and is preparing for his first title defense. He is scheduled to headline UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, against former champion Sean Strickland. This fight is highly anticipated, with a heated rivalry between the two fighters. Chimaev has also recently expressed interest in a one-off boxing match against Conor McGregor and has hinted at a future move to the light heavyweight division after his upcoming title defense. His current focus remains on defending his middleweight belt and extending his undefeated streak.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Khamzat Khizarovich Chimaev made different choices?