Khamzat Chimaev Opens Up About His Battle with Depression

Khamzat Chimaev’s journey in the UFC has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. With UFC 308 just around the corner, Chimaev has the opportunity to secure a potential middleweight title shot as he faces Robert Whittaker on October 26, 2024. This fight marks his return after more than a year, following his victory against Kamaru Usman at UFC 294. Despite that significant win, Chimaev’s career has been plagued by health issues, which delayed his next appearance in the octagon.

Chimaev Discusses His Mental Health Struggles

Throughout his four-year stint in the UFC, Chimaev has frequently faced health complications, including a severe COVID-19 case, which disrupted several of his scheduled fights. These recurring issues began affecting his career and reputation. In preparation for UFC 308, Chimaev reunited with his old wrestling coach and revamped his training program to include more rest and recovery, aiming to overcome these persistent challenges.

Just days ahead of his match against Whittaker, Chimaev expressed optimism and reflected on overcoming depression. In an interview uploaded by Youtuber Adam Zubayraev, he shared how the setbacks in his career had led to mental health struggles.

“You could say that my depression has disappeared. There were many issues before, but I have solved many things. Thankfully, everything is good now. I am also human; I have my own problems that needed to be addressed.” he said.

Chimaev revealed that changing his team, including adding specialized doctors, pharmacologists, and dieticians, was crucial in his recovery process.

“I fell into a depression, and there was a lot going on. But now, I’ve solved everything, thank God. I’ve switched to a new team, and everything is fantastic.”

“Doctors, pharmacologists, nutritionists, all of them. I’ve never had such a team before.”

Potential Return to Welterweight

Chimaev’s UFC career has spanned both welterweight and middleweight divisions. Although he initially thrived in welterweight, recurring weight-cutting issues led UFC to transition him to middleweight. Dana White recently confirmed that Sean Strickland is next in line for a middleweight title shot, which has pushed Chimaev to reconsider his options. He has stated his willingness to drop back to welterweight if it means securing a title opportunity, adding,

“If they give me a title shot at 170 lbs, why not? I’ve beaten everyone, so just give me the title, and I’ll go down there.”

The outcome of his upcoming bout against Whittaker could be pivotal in determining his future path, whether it’s securing a middleweight title shot or making a welterweight comeback. Given his renewed training regime and improved mental health, the MMA world eagerly awaits whether Chimaev can maintain his momentum and fully capitalize on his potential.

For more information on Khamzat Chimaev’s mental health and UFC career developments, check MMAnytt.se

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