Khamzat Chimaev expects any injury break to last one or two months

Khamzat Chimaev says recurring hand problems could require a short break, but he intends to keep training during recovery as he pursues another UFC middleweight title opportunity.

Khamzat Chimaev expects to need only one or two months away if he takes a break to address his injuries, he told MMA Fighting. He said he would continue training and recovery work during that period.

Chimaev identified recurring hand problems as the issue: “It’s just my hands. I punch hard so I always have problems with my hands and I have to fix it.”

He is preparing to face Gilbert Burns at RAF in Miami on Saturday while pursuing a return to UFC action. His aim is to regain the middleweight title he lost in a close decision to Sean Strickland in May, although he believes an immediate title opportunity is unlikely.

Chimaev has also approached Caio Borralho about a fight. He said Borralho was willing to face him, but an injury prevented the Brazilian from accepting the October timing he proposed.

“Only Caio [Borralho] wanted to fight, but he had an injury when I asked about October,” Chimaev said. “He said November or December, he will be ready.”