Hamzat Chimaev says he sought a fight at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi but did not request a title shot, knowing champion Sean O'Malley would not travel to the UAE. With that opportunity passed, he is now targeting UFC 335 in December, warning that if no bout materializes he will take time off to address his health. Chimaev disclosed that he has undergone six operations and seven rounds of anesthesia, including the removal of half his thyroid gland, and has been competing through ongoing medical issues.
Hamzat Chimaev has broken his silence on a string of serious medical challenges, revealing he has undergone six surgeries and seven rounds of anesthesia — including the removal of half his thyroid gland — while continuing to compete inside the octagon.
Speaking publicly about his health for the first time in detail, Chimaev said he had pushed to appear at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi but stopped short of requesting a title shot, acknowledging that bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley would not make the trip to the UAE. With that card now behind him, Chimaev has set his sights on UFC 335 in December as his next target. He issued a stark warning alongside that goal: if no fight is arranged, he intends to step away from competition to focus on his medical recovery.
The disclosures paint a striking picture of how much Chimaev has endured behind the scenes. Competing through thyroid complications and repeated surgical procedures is an extraordinary burden for any athlete, and the fighter made clear that his patience with the situation has limits.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's long-discussed return now has a concrete target in UFC 335, though no bout has been formally announced.
- His willingness to walk away if unbooked adds urgency to matchmaking discussions around one of the sport's most marketable fighters.
- The thyroid and surgical revelations reframe his recent absences and raise genuine questions about how the health issues may affect his timeline going forward.
- His comments about O'Malley and the Abu Dhabi card suggest he is positioning himself in the bantamweight title picture, though no official challenge has been made.
