Khamzat Chimaev experienced a severe medical emergency during a recent weight cut, vomiting green bile and coming close to death. The incident occurred near the end of his training camp when Chimaev entrusted the wrong people to manage his weight cut, and the process went terribly wrong.
Khamzat Chimaev came dangerously close to death during a recent weight cut gone wrong, according to a report published May 27, 2026. The incident, described as a severe medical emergency, involved Chimaev vomiting green bile as his body was pushed to its limits — a crisis he has since attributed to placing trust in the wrong people to oversee the process.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," carries a 15-1-0 record and is currently ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates and trains out of Allstars Training Center, is one of the most physically dominant fighters in the sport. He lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate and averages an imposing 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, making weight management a critical part of his preparation cycle.
The emergency is said to have occurred near the end of a training camp, suggesting the weight cut was being attempted under the pressures of an imminent fight. Chimaev acknowledged that the individuals managing his cut were not up to the task, and the consequences were nearly fatal.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the number-one ranked middleweight, meaning any health setback carries serious divisional implications
- Botched weight cuts have led to fighter deaths in combat sports and have prompted ongoing regulatory scrutiny across promotions
- The incident raises questions about the support infrastructure around one of the UFC's most high-profile active competitors
- As a pound-for-pound top-ten fighter, Chimaev's availability and physical condition affects title picture discussions at 185 pounds
