In Photos: Khamzat Chimaev highlights his training and recovery sessions in Chechnya ahead of UFC return

Khamzat Chimaev has provided fans with a glimpse into his recovery and training after his recent health scare. 'Borz' suggested that he's training in Chechnya, Russia, ahead of his long-awaited comeback to MMA competition.

The Chechnya-born fighter has competed at both welterweight and middleweight in the UFC. He's coming off a majority decision victory against former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in their middleweight bout at UFC 294 (Oct. 2023).

Chimaev was to face former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia (June 22, 2024). Nevertheless, just a few days before the event, Chimaev withdrew due to an illness. Ikram Aliskerov replaced him and ended up losing to Whittaker via first-round KO.

Meanwhile, UFC CEO Dana White suggested that Chimaev was "violently ill." Multiple-time UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson, who's often trained with Chimaev at the Allstars Training Center in Sweden, also indicated that 'Borz' was "very ill," likely from excessive training that dents the immunity.

After the health scare that transpired last month, Khamzat Chimaev has gradually returned to training. The 30-year-old has put forth an Instagram post, featuring photos of himself in nine slides.

Chimaev's statement in the post alluded to his training in his native Chechnya. The first couple of slides showed him playing some football (soccer) on a turf.

Check out the pair of images below:

Screenshots of images [Images courtesy: @khamzat_chimaev on Instagram]

In the third and fourth slides, a gloved Chimaev looked to be working his striking against a heavy bag. A training partner accompanied him in one image, while he was going at the bag alone in the other.

Check out the photos of Chimaev's bag work below:

Besides, in the fifth and sixth slides, Khamzat Chimaev seemed to be partaking in some mitt work and stretching.

Check out the images below:

In the seventh slide, Chimaev was apparently in the hills alongside two other individuals, whereas he was pictured alone in the eighth slide.

Check out Chimaev's photos in Chechnya's hills below:

The ninth slide featured Khamzat Chimaev with his hands in a fighting pose in the hills.

Check out the image below:

Screenshot of image [Image courtesy: @khamzat_chimaev on Instagram]

Check out Chimaev's Instagram post below:

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Instagram Post

Khamzat Chimaev hints at potential comeback at UFC 308, demands title shot

Khamzat Chimaev battled severe COVID-related health issues a few years back, leading to his grudge match against Leon Edwards falling apart multiple times.

Chimaev had even briefly retired from MMA owing to health complications after the COVID affliction, but his retirement didn't last long. The consensus is that overtraining while nearing a scheduled fight is what hurts his immunity and adversely affects his health.

The health challenges notwithstanding, Chimaev recently asserted that he could return to the octagon in Abu Dhabi this October. Per Russia's Match TV, 'Borz' was referring to the UFC 308 event, which is set to transpire in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Oct. 26, 2024.

The undefeated Chimaev cited his seven-fight UFC win streak and called for a UFC title shot, suggesting that negotiations with the UFC are underway. His opponent and exact comeback date haven't been officially announced yet.