When Khamzat Chimaev first stepped into the UFC in July 2020, he created the fastest consecutive UFC wins record in just ten days. First, he took down John Phillips in the middleweight division and then Rhys McKee in the welterweight division. But soon, that ‘fastest’ tag became a question mark. Just one year later, Chimaev promised to fight Leon Edwards and Robert Whittaker. The Chechen Warrior, however, faced some COVID-19 health complications, and the fights were eventually cancelled.

Since then, Chimaev has burned out in lengthy fights like those against Kamaru Usman. He has also only fought once on American soil when he took down Kevin Holland at UFC 279 three years ago due to US visa issues. Soon, everyone pointed out these troubles around Chimaev. As he enters UFC 319, that narrative hasn’t disappeared. In July, Din Thomas added fuel to the dying fire, stating, “If Khamzat wins, it’s a disaster. You can’t tell me a part of you isn’t just thinking, ‘This fight might not actually happen.’”

Although he shared a common sentiment on many people’s minds, former UFC champion TJ Dillashaw actually flipped his prediction. He recently re-assessed and said, “When I first looked at the fight, I picked Dricus du Plessis to win because of his cardio. But now, after introducing Khamzat to Sam Calavitta, my whole prediction changed.” Now, former middleweight champion Michael Bisping has also supported the middleweight contender.

Speaking in a recent video uploaded to his namesake YouTube channel, Bisping pushed back on the claims. He stated, “Khamzat Chimaev wants to be a champion. He wants to be the first Chechen champion, and he wants to defend the belt, and he wants to be active. Now, Din Thomas said he’s going to be a disaster for the middleweight division if he was to become the champion. A, because he doesn’t fight frequently. B. Because he gets sick.

“Now, not fighting frequently, Khamzat came out recently and said it’s because he was struggling to get a work visa in the United States of America. Of course, the fight is going down in Chicago. Dana White, UFC president, of course, is very close friends and has a special relationship with Donald Trump. So, regardless, they’ve made that happen. So, I don’t think getting into the States is going to be an issue.

“If Chimaev does beat Dricus du Plessis, and that’s a big if, by the way, I don’t think getting into the United States is going to be a problem. Certainly not under his championship run… Khamzat Chimaev, in the prime of his career, is going to have absolutely no problem getting into America. One issue that he has had is getting sick. Sean Strickland was talking about that recently, calling him a little b—- and mentally he’s just a weak man. Now, Khamzat Chimaev said he’s not going out. He doesn’t want to interact with people. He doesn’t want to get sick.”

The Chechen juggernaut’s previous two fights indeed took place in Abu Dhabi. But with the visa issues now seemingly settled, that’s one fear crossed off the books. As for the illness factor, Chimaev already has a plan in action. In fact, during a recent conversation with ESPN MMA, ‘Borz’ shared, “I have to be ready, don’t get sick. That’s why I’m just saying to the boys, if we go to the mall, if somebody sick fan comes, maybe we get that sickness, so I have to be careful for that.”

So, is this just an overblown narrative or a real problem? The truth might land somewhere in between. But as Michael Bisping indicated, there has been progress made on all fronts that were a cause for concern. In fact, it’s not just his outside-the-cage troubles that have seemingly been addressed, as Chimaev’s coach has come out with a bold take on the one weakness that has raised doubts about his chances against Stillknocks.

Khamzat Chimaev’s coach reveals “totally different” version of him ready for UFC 319

The word hanging over Khamzat Chimaev ahead of UFC 319 is cardio. The Chechen mauler has built a reputation for blitzing opponents in Round 1, leaving little time for questions. But in the few fights that stretched longer, murmurs began: could he keep up the pace?

Those whispers have grown louder as the clash with Dricus du Plessis grows closer, a man known for dragging his opponent into deep waters and coming out victorious. Yet, Joakim Karlsson, Chimaev’s head coach, is having none of it.

Speaking at a recent media day, Karlsson confessed, “Man, you can’t compare Khamzat, now, this time, with (the one from) one, two years ago. It’s totally different. He has a different strength and conditioning coach now. It’s a different level now. I don’t think it’s fair to compare him from one, two years ago. It’s not the same.”

Karlsson credits famed trainer Sam Calavitta for reshaping Chimaev’s physical game. But the transformation, he insists, goes deeper than just new workouts. According to him, “So he’s been more serious about everything. He’s taking care of nutrition, sleep, recovery and everything. He’s good.”

As such, the picture forming around Khamzat Chimaev before UFC 319 is one of change, not collapse. The “disaster” talk from Din Thomas may make for a sharp soundbite, but Michael Bisping’s counterpunch carries weight.

The visa roadblock is gone, and the illness narrative is being actively managed. Now, with his coach promising that cardio is no longer a weak link, Borz enters Chicago not as a question mark, but as a fighter claiming to have solved the doubts that once refused to go away!