TLDR
- Gilbert Burns believes Khamzat Chimaev can become the UFC’s first three-division champion with the right coaching team
- Burns says Chimaev’s frequent coaching changes have hurt his performance and he needs coaches who will challenge him
- Chimaev is targeting a December fight but will take a break to address injuries if nothing materializes
- The fighter has undergone six surgeries and is missing half his thyroid gland while dealing with multiple injuries
- Chimaev believes Nassourdine Imavov will get the next title shot against Sean Strickland instead of him
Sources: yardbarker.com | mmafighting.com
Gilbert Burns believes Khamzat Chimaev can still become the UFC’s first three-division champion despite his recent loss. The Brazilian fighter says Chimaev just needs to find the right coaching setup and stop switching camps so frequently.
Chimaev suffered the first loss of his MMA career in May when he dropped a split decision to Sean Strickland at UFC 328. The defeat ended his unbeaten run and raised questions about his future in the sport.
Burns, who faced Chimaev in the past, offered his thoughts as the two prepare for a RAF wrestling match scheduled for Friday, September 18. He pointed to Chimaev’s constant coaching changes as a potential problem.
“I don’t like when he changes camps; changes coaches too much,” Burns said. “When he fought me, he had that solid general. The guy he was with in Sweden… When the team was kind of small, I think he was doing better.”
Gilbert Burns believes Khamzat Chimaev can bounce back from his lone UFC loss to Sean Strickland and become a champion again, potentially across two or three weight classes. However, Burns believes Chimaev needs a solid team around him and more stability with his coaches.
“The… pic.twitter.com/hpRKenTy0f
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) September 17, 2026
Burns Says Chimaev Needs Team That Won’t Be ‘Yes Men’
Burns emphasized that Chimaev needs coaches who will challenge him rather than simply agree with everything he wants to do. He believes with the right team in place, Chimaev could achieve historic success in the UFC.
“I still think he’s going to bounce back. He just needs a solid team,” Burns explained. “Guys [who are] not a yes-man. Guys that are going to tell him what he has to do.”
Burns went further, saying he believes Chimaev has the talent to win titles in multiple weight classes. “With a solid team, he can go back and become a champion; maybe two, maybe three-division champion,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chimaev is actively trying to book his next fight before the end of 2026. He told Adam Zubayrev that he initially wanted to fight in Abu Dhabi in October but is now targeting December.
Chimaev Threatens Break If No December Fight Materializes
The fighter says if he doesn’t get booked for a December bout, he plans to take time off to address multiple injuries. Chimaev revealed he has been dealing with health issues throughout his career.
“If nothing happens in December, I think I’ll take a little break,” Chimaev said. “I have a lot of injuries. I need to get them treated. I’ve been putting off my surgeries, putting them off, putting them off.”
Chimaev disclosed that he doesn’t have half his thyroid gland and has undergone six surgeries. He said he’s been under anesthesia seven times and continues to fight through various injuries.
The middleweight initially pushed for a rematch with Strickland but has since stopped campaigning for that fight. He now believes Nassourdine Imavov will get the next title shot against Strickland instead.
“I knew Strickland wasn’t coming here,” Chimaev said about fighting in Abu Dhabi. “I said, ‘I don’t want to wait one or two years for him to recover.’ As soon as I said that, they gave Imavov a fight.”
Chimaev requested any opponent from the UFC, saying he wants to make money and work his way back to championship contention. The promotion has not yet announced an opponent for him.
Regarding the potential Strickland versus Imavov matchup, Chimaev favors his former opponent. He thinks Imavov’s technical striking ability gives him an advantage if he can maintain his cardio throughout the fight.
