Chimaev Says He'll Take A Break If Not Booked By Year's End

Khamzat Chimaev says he'll step away from fighting to address a list of nagging injuries if he isn't booked for a fight by the end of the year.

"If nothing happens in October or December, I think I'll take a little break. I have a lot of injuries that I need to get treated. I've been putting off my surgeries, putting them off, putting them off, and I go into every fight with some kind of problem," Chimaev

Chimaev hasn't fought since losing his middleweight title to Sean Strickland by split decision in May, a run that previously included wins over Kamaru Usman, Robert Whittaker and Dricus du Plessis. He's revealed he's undergone seven procedures under anesthesia, including six surgeries, and is missing half his thyroid gland.

With Strickland rumored to defend against Nassourdine Imavov in December, and both du Plessis and Caio Borralho reportedly injured, Chimaev has offered himself as a backup option for that fight should either man pull out.