Khamzat Chimaev ditches Dubai for high-altitude training in Mount Elbrus to prepare for UFC 308
Khamzat Chimaev has made a significant change to his training regimen ahead of his upcoming clash against Robert Whittaker at UFC 308. By the looks of it, Chimaev is going back to basics with a high-altitude camp and joining forces with renowned coaches.
Chimaev, who trained out of the Allstars Training Center in Sweden, trained extensively in Dubai in preparation for his recent fights. However, according to a text translated from Vladislav Matveev channel on Telegram, Chimaev is currently training in Prielbrusye, Russia, at an altitude of 1850 meters.
With Mount Elbrus, Europe's highest mountain the setting for his training camp, it seems like Chimaev’s team is focused on building endurance. 'Borz' has also reunited with Joakim Karlsson, the head coach of the Swedish Muay Thai national team. Karlsson, who flew in from Stockholm, was a key figure during Chimaev’s early training days.
Another crucial addition to his team is Salim Nuzalhanov, a highly respected coach in freestyle wrestling. Nuzalhanov, who has trained Olympic champions like Buvaisar Saitiev, can prove to be a valuable addition to Chimaev's camp against a formidable striker like Whittaker.
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Chimaev was organically scheduled to lock horns with Whittaker on June 22 in the main event of Saudi Arabia. However, he was forced to pull out of the contest, which he later alluded to overtraining. He wants to put the recent stretch of inactivity to rest and restore the commanding presence that sent shockwaves across the sport.
Caio Borralho previews the UFC 308 fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker
No.3 ranked middleweight contender Robert Whittaker will take on Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308, which goes down on Oct. 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
For Chimaev, who currently occupies the No.12 spot on the rankings, a fight against Whittaker is an opportunity to establish his merit for a title shot in the future. Surging middleweight prospect Caio Borralho, who has trained with Chimaev in the past, has picked 'Borz' to emerge victorious against Whittaker.
Speaking in an interview with Submission Radio, he said:
"I think this fight goes to Khamzat. I think Khamzat is going to like dominate him in the wrestling, on the ground. But Whittaker was a champion, though, so cannot doubt our champion. So, definitely is a fun fight. I’m willing to see this fight for sure.” [H/t: MMA Junkie]
Catch Caio Borralho's comments below (4:40):