"That Chechnyan leader loves him" - When Joe Rogan put forward his theory about Khamzat Chimaev's unexplained inactivity

Joe Rogan once offered his perspective regarding Khamzat Chimaev's puzzling absence from active competition. Borz' was once celebrated as one of the UFC's tenacious fighters, achieving the feat of competing in and winning three consecutive bouts within a span of just 66 days.

However, Chimaev's progress has stalled in recent years, having fought only twice since his unanimous decision victory over Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 in April 2022, attributed to a range of factors. The undefeated Chechen fighter was slated to headline UFC Saudi Arabia against Robert Whittaker in June; however, he was forced to withdraw from the bout due to health issues.

Rogan believes Chimaev's extended hiatus from fighting might be tied to distractions that come with his meteoric rise to fame and financial success. During the UFC 305 Fight Companion show, the UFC commentator said:

"I mean, how many fights has Khamzat had to pull out of?... That was before he got rich and famous. The problem is he's like so revered in the Muslim world, you know, he's got like that Chechnyan leader [Ramzan Kadyrov], loves him, and you know he's the f**king man now. He's driving the Mercedes, you know what I'm saying."

Check out Joe Rogan's comments below (2:48:30):

'Borz' is now rebooked to face Whittaker in a five-round middleweight clash, set as the co-main event of UFC 308, scheduled to take place this weekend at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Chimaev's most recent fight took place in October 2023, where he secured a majority decision victory over Kamaru Usman in a short-notice matchup at UFC 294. He boasts an undefeated record of 7-0 in the UFC.

---

When Javier Mendez warned of potential challenges for Khamzat Chimaev

During an interview with Fightbook MMA in June, Javier Mendez expressed his concerns regarding Khamzat Chimaev's persistent health issues.

The famed MMA coach drew parallels between Chimaev's circumstances and those of Cain Velasquez, highlighting how the former UFC heavyweight champion's recurring injuries during training camps prevented him from achieving his maximum potential:

"If Khamzat Chimaev cannot get hold of his health issues, it would mean it would tarnish his great potential, but let’s see, I hope not; he’s so much fun to watch. Let’s hope he gets the help he needs, but if I’m not mistaken, he got COVID, and that’s what messed him up. There are a lot of people, not just him, who got COVID, and it messed them up pretty well, and they’re not the same."