UFC: Dana White says Khamzat Chimaev was ’emotional’ after training; clarifies he’s not retired

UFC, Dana White
SHANGHAI, CHINA - JUNE 20: Dana White, UFC President gives a speech during 2019 UFC Performance Institute Panel and UFC Fight Night Shenzhen Press Conference at UFC Performance Institute Shanghai on June 20, 2019 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Yifan Ding/Getty Images)

It appears that we haven’t seen the last of Khamzat Chimaev (9-0) in the UFC. Well, at least that is what Dana White is saying. Out of no where yesterday, Khamzat Chimaev took to Instagram to say that he’s walking away from the sport. 

This was not a Conor McGregor retirement post or even the situation that’s happening with Khabib Nurmagomedov. This situation is completely different and it all ties back to the health of Khamzat Chimaev.

The UFC‘s budding star has been dealing with symptoms from COVID for months now. Twice he had to pull out of a fight against Leon Edwards due to the lingering impact of COVID on his lungs.

Chimaev was not getting proper medical treatment so the UFC flew him to the United States to get treated this week. Things were looking up for Chimaev who also has been going back and forth with Neil Magny on social media.

Chimaev’s post took everyone by surprise last night. All outlets started flooding the UFC asking for clarification behind The Russian’s post. Dana White spoke to MMA Junkie last night where he cleared the air on what happened with Chimaev.

UFC return in June?

White said, “When he got here, the doctors took care of him, and they put him on prednisone, which is a nasty f*cking steroid. So he’s on prednisone, and he’s supposed to be taking this thing and chilling, relaxing, and letting himself recover. He went in and f*cking trained today, felt like sh*t, and got super emotional and posted that.”

“He’s not supposed to be training, but you know, this guy’s a savage. He wants to fight like every f*cking weekend, and now he can’t even train, so he just got emotional and posted that, but he ain’t quitting.”

White also went on to say that the UFC is targeting a June return for Chimaev which was the plan all along. Chimaev seems like the kind of guy who just wants to get back on the horse. However, it’s clear that he needs to take some time away with the symptoms he has.

I can understand the frustration of wanting to compete again. However, his health should come first. As of now, the UFC is still hoping to put Chimaev and Magny together in June. However, it will all come down to how Chimaev responds to this treatment over the next month.