Khamzat Chimaev Needs Time Off UFC to Heal His Hands

Khamzat Chimaev says recurring hand injuries from his own punching power will force him to take time away from training, a break that could push back his return to the middleweight title picture.

The former UFC middleweight champion told MMA Fighting his hands "continue to crumble" under the force of his punches, a problem that has followed him for years. "I punch hard so I always have problems with my hands and I have to fix it," Chimaev said, adding that any layoff would be short. "If I do break off, it's going to be one or two months. Still going to be doing recovery, training."

Chimaev, 32 and sitting at 15-1, was clear that he still wants to compete and that the issue is not severe enough to pull him from sparring entirely. He simply needs his hands to hold up before he can commit to a fight camp.

What This Means for the Middleweight Division

While Chimaev works through the injury, the 185-pound title picture keeps moving without him. Sean Strickland is set to defend his middleweight title against Nassourdine Imavov in a rematch, giving the division a clear next step even as its most talked-about contender sits on the sideline. Chimaev has not fought in the time it takes to score a knockout, a six-year drought despite the power he consistently shows in training.

A one or two month break sounds minor on its face, but in a division moving toward a Strickland-Imavov rematch, timing matters. If Chimaev needs recovery on top of a normal training camp buildup, his path back to a title shot likely runs through whoever comes out of that rematch, not around it.

Betting Angle

Book Chimaev's stock as a hold for now rather than a buy or sell. His power and grappling pedigree keep him near the top of any middleweight futures market, but sportsbooks and matchmakers alike need him active to price him with confidence. Until he's cleared and a fight is actually booked, the smarter market play is watching how Strickland vs. Imavov 2 shakes out, since that result will likely dictate who Chimaev is fighting for once his hands are right.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Khamzat Chimaev need time off from the UFC?

Khamzat Chimaev says recurring hand injuries caused by the power of his own punches require him to take a short break, which he estimates at one to two months, from active competition.

Is Khamzat Chimaev the current UFC middleweight champion?

No, Khamzat Chimaev is a former UFC middleweight champion. Sean Strickland currently holds the title and is set to defend it against Nassourdine Imavov.

What is Khamzat Chimaev's current UFC record?

Khamzat Chimaev is 15-1 as a professional mixed martial artist.