After a long fight against COVID-19, UFC star Khamzat Chimaev seems to be moving away from the sport.
Chimaev announced on Instagram on Monday night that “I think I’m done” with the fights.
“I want to thank everyone for their support on my path in this sport,” he wrote in Russian. “I think I’m done. Yes, I know I didn’t take the belt, but this is not the most important victory of my life. You may be upset, but my heart and body tell me everything.
“I want to thank my team immensely. I want to say a big thank you [to the UFC]. “
Chimaev also posted a photo in his Instagram story of what looked like blood he had just coughed in the sink.
Chimaev also posted the following in his story on Instagram about 25 minutes ago.
Photo translated via Reddit courtesy of user r / mma u / thesalamandirk pic.twitter.com/swBAaI9AT3
– Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) March 2, 2021
Chimaev ‘thought he was going to die’
The 26-year-old was initially set to face Leon Edwards in December, but the fight was postponed after Edwards contracted the coronavirus.
Chimaev’s test came back positive in January, which further delayed the fight. It was postponed for the third time to March 13, although it was postponed again because Chimaev was struggling with the virus – something that apparently is still bothering him.
“He wanted to train,” his manager Majdi Shammas. “So we tried and failed. He was really bad … He started coughing, started feeling bad again and we had to cancel the training. He even went by ambulance to the hospital. “
At one point in the hospital, Chimaev feared even the worst.
“When he called me, he thought he was going to die,” said Shammas.
So now, after struggling with the virus for so long, Chimaev is calling at least to take a break to make sure he can stay healthy.
Chimaev boasted a perfect 9-0 record in his professional wrestling career, starting with a TKO victory over Gard Olve Sagen in 2018. He last stepped into the octagon in September, where he defeated Gerald Meerschaert with a 17-second knockout.
Dana White: ‘He won’t give up’
While Chimaev’s post certainly sounded like a retirement, UFC President Dana White insisted on Monday night that it was not the case.
Chimaev, said White, is currently in Las Vegas receiving treatment. The post apparently came after a difficult training session.
“When he succeeded [to Las Vegas], doctors took care of him and prescribed prednisone, which is a disgusting steroid, ”White told MMA Junkie.” He is taking prednisone and must take this thing and relax, recover and recover. He was ef *** ing trained today, he felt like shit, and he got super emotional and posted it.
“He shouldn’t be training, but you know, this guy is a savage. He wants to fight like shit all weekends, and now he can’t even train, so he got emotional and posted it, but he won’t give up. “
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