Khamzat Chimaev reunites with old coach to emphasize rest in new training plan following repeated hospitalizations due to overtraining

UFC middleweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev is expected to return to action in a rescheduled fixture against Robert Whittaker at UFC 308. They were initially scheduled to square off in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia, but Chimaev was forced to pull out of the contest due to an illness and was replaced by Ikram Aliskerov.

Determined to eliminate the shadow of inactivity that has affected his professional career, Chimaev is approaching the upcoming fight as a defining moment of his career. 'Borz' has only competed twice since Sept. 2022 and will be keen on reinstating his image as a future champion with a victory over Whittaker.

For that, he has reunited with an old coach and modified his training routine to ensure he's in peak condition for the upcoming assignment. Speaking about his training regimen in a YouTube vlog with Adam Zubayraev, he said:

"The point is they now let me rest and recover properly. I used to go to the gym and train till I was done. But then I ended up in hospital. Like the last time when I was in hospital, three times in a row within three weeks. My immune system went down, I got sick." [H/t: Red Corner MMA]

He added:

"Now I use a better approach. I work with good coaches. Salim [Noutsalkhanov] raised a lot of world champions. He also trained Buvaisar Saitiev for the Beijing Olympics. With people like that, I'm going to take a big step forward."

Check out Chimaev's comments below:

Check out the full vlog below:

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Robert Whittaker determined to fight for the UFC middleweight title with a potential win over Khamzat Chimaev

While Khamzat Chimaev was sidelined from action at UFC Saudi Arabia in June, Robert Whittaker took on the challenge of Ikram Aliskerov and passed the test with flying colors. The Australian demolished his rival with a first-round knockout victory.

Chimaev and Whittaker will lock horns at UFC 308 on Oct. 26, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. While challengers like Sean Strickland are pushing their case for a title shot next, Whittaker believes a victory over Chimaev should guarantee a crack at the middleweight throne. Speaking in an interview with Submission Radio, he said:

"I beat Chimaev, I’m fighting for the belt next. Like, that’s it. There’s no doubt in my mind about that. I just got to make sure that I put all the chips and I cross all the t’s, dot all the i’s, and get to Abu Dhabi top of my game.”

Catch Whittaker's comments below (8:00):