After a number of early-career health scares Khamzat Chimaev often finds himself in the rumour mill when it comes to retirement.
During the coronavirus pandemic he all but did hang up his gloves, albeit temporarily before deciding to fight on. But he has continued to be marred by weight cut issues, health problems and other problems causing fight cancellations.
However, in spite of all that he has made it to his world title shot at UFC 319 when he takes on Dricus Du Plessis in Chicago. But he will keep fighting after the fact, even if he finally achieves the goal of becoming a world champion.
- Who is Dricus Du Plessis? Meet the UFC brawler putting South Africa on the MMA map
Khamzat Chimaev admits he needs the money as he shuts down retirement talks
Khamzat Chimaev is put on a pedestal by MMA fans as a dominant force of nature. But when the lights are off and the paycheques come out, he is still a UFC fighter struggling to get by on fighting just once a year.
He told his mother that he would hang up his gloves once he had a belt to bring back to her. But in an interview with ESPN MMA, he admitted that he needs the money that comes with being champion and must continue beyond UFC 319.
“I need money bro. This is not enough, just to go for the one title,” Chimaev told host Brett Okamoto. “Hopefully if I don’t get injured or some stuff, gonna defend the belt or fight for other belt in Abu Dhabi, as well.
“I work with a new coach and talk to him about going down again to 170lb. He said gimme a couple months and I’m gonna make it. I don’t know who is the champ there, this Australian guy would be a good fight for me.
“Go down, fight with him as well, take the belt there. If I go up, there is Ankalaev and Alex Pereira, they’re fighting now. Whoever’s winning, I can fight for that belt, as well.”
Khamzat Chimaev talks about his motivation for fighting through
Chimaev continues to fight on due to his deep religious views, as a devout Muslim he wants to have a strong legacy for when he eventually passes on. And that could include winning UFC gold, as well as staying true to his faith.
“I believe in God, so I want to meet him as well,” Chimaev continued during a different part of the interview. “Life is going really fast… I’m already 31.
“I remember being 6 or 7 years old, and it feels like yesterday. I believe in God, so do good things before I meet Him. If you’re not ready to die when it comes, you’ll be scared. Maybe my thinking about that made me who I am today.”