Khamzat Chimaev's ongoing health issues have put a major stint in his pursuit to become UFC champion but at UFC 308, he will have another chance to move one step closer, when he takes on Robert Whittaker.
The undefeated phenom was scheduled to take on Robert Whittaker in the main event of the UFC's first-ever event in Saudi Arabia this past June, but just a few weeks out from the fight, Khamzat Chimaev withdrew.
It isn't the first time 'Borz' has withdrawn from a fight due to health concerns, as he has been scheduled to fight former welterweight champion, Leon Edwards on three separate occasions, with that fight never coming to fruition.
Although the 30-year-old has reached this point in his career by training in a specific way, it was clear that something needed to change for him to make it to the next level.
After years of ongoing health concerns and his immune system deteriorating in the lead-up to his fights, the Chechen has revealed that he has made a change to the way he is approaching training going forward, starting with his October 26th camp.
Chimaev has reunited with his first wrestling coach, Salim Noutsalkhanov, ahead of the biggest fight of his career thus far and likely number one contender fight.
"The point is they now let me rest and recover properly. I used to go to the gym and just train till I was done," Chimaev told Adam Zubayraev (translated by Red Corner MMA).
"Yes (I would train just to get exhausted) but then I ended up in the hospital like the last time when I was in the hospital three times in a row in the space of three weeks. My immune system went down, I got sick, and now I use a better approach.
"I work with good coaches, Salim (Noutsalkhanov) raised a lot of world champions, he also trained Buvaisar Saitiev for the Beijing Olympics, with people like that. I am going to take a big step forward," Chimaev continued.
The 30-year-old has been longtime friends with former UFC star, Darren Till, and for his UFC 308 fight, he recently joked with Till that he doesn't want him around as he is a bad influence on him.
Another thing that has halted Chimaev's momentum quite significantly is his inability to access a visa to fight in the United States.
'Borz' was approached by the UFC to headline UFC 300 this past April in a title fight against then-champion Leon Edwards, but he wasn't granted a visa.
With that, his fights are having to take place in the Middle East, which is an issue as the UFC only hosts events in the region every now and again.
"Unfortunately now, (the UFC) don't (sign) enough guys from Russia and especially Chechnya, I think politically because of what is happening right now. Visas are not being given to the guys, including me," Khamzat explained.