Khamzat Chimaev`s trajectory in the Ultimate Fighting Championship has been anything but ordinary. Bursting onto the scene with a flurry of dominant performances, “Borz” quickly built a reputation as a potential future champion. However, his seemingly unstoppable rise has been punctuated by significant setbacks, including a severe battle with COVID-19 and various injuries that have limited his activity.
Despite these challenges, Chimaev remains undefeated and is now poised for his most significant challenge yet: a championship showdown against middleweight king Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319. While fans eagerly anticipate whether Chimaev can finally capture gold, a surprising possibility is being openly discussed within the fighting community: Could this title fight potentially mark the end of his career?
This intriguing notion wasn`t conjured from thin air but voiced by a fellow competitor in the middleweight division, Caio Borralho. Borralho, speaking recently, shared whispers he`d heard suggesting that a victory at UFC 319 might prompt Chimaev to retire. His rationale hinges on several factors: the immense pressure Chimaev faces, past health issues that disrupted his momentum, and significantly, the substantial financial security he is believed to have accumulated. Borralho even admitted he might consider a similar path if he were in Chimaev`s shoes with comparable resources.
Naturally, any discussion of retirement is entirely contingent on the outcome of the August 16 clash in Chicago. Borralho himself weighed in on the matchup, foreseeing a potentially rapid conclusion, possibly mirroring Chimaev`s swift victory over Robert Whittaker. He suggested a first-round finish is plausible due to Chimaev`s explosive start.
However, Borralho also acknowledged the difficulty of sustaining dominance against a powerful opponent like du Plessis if the fight extends into the later rounds. Maintaining control could expend significant energy, leading to a grueling challenge for Chimaev in rounds three, four, and five. Despite this, Borralho believes Chimaev`s pride and warrior spirit mean he will fight fiercely until the end, even if his early dominance wanes.
The prospect of a fighter retiring immediately after reaching the pinnacle of their sport – winning a world title – is relatively uncommon, adding an interesting layer to the already high-stakes main event. Fighters often contemplate retirement, of course, but few execute it precisely at this high-water mark. Whether these “whispers” shared by Borralho hold any concrete truth, or if they are merely the kind of speculative chatter common in the fight world, remains to be seen.
For now, the retirement talk exists as a compelling subplot to the main narrative: Khamzat Chimaev`s long-awaited shot at UFC gold. All eyes will be on UFC 319 to see if `Borz` finally captures the title, and perhaps, if Borralho`s surprising prediction holds any weight.
