Arman Tsarukyan recently provided insights into Khamzat Chimaev‘s training camp, highlighting the use of advanced recovery technology to manage his workload and avoid overtraining before his upcoming fight. Chimaev is scheduled to face Dricus du Plessis for the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/mma/ufc/”>UFC middleweight title at UFC 319, which will take place later this month at the United Center in Chicago.
Innovative Recovery Monitoring Aims to Prevent Overtraining
According to Tsarukyan, Chimaev has long struggled with pushing himself beyond limits, often training intensely even after sparring sessions. To address this, his camp now employs daily monitoring devices that track his recovery status and adjust his training accordingly. Tsarukyan explained that the technology allows coaches to intervene if Chimaev shows signs of fatigue, ensuring he receives the necessary rest to maintain peak performance:
“Khamzat’s never at 100% on fight night because he constantly overtrains. After sparring, he always goes to work the bag, lift weights, etc. He’s one of those guys you have to tell when it’s time to stop. He’s now being tested daily to monitor his recovery.”
—Arman Tsarukyan, Training Partner
“They have devices that show his recovery status every day, and if he’s in a slump, they help pull him out of it. They give him more time to relax, because when you’re overtrained, you can’t work properly in sparring. We need a guy who will control this 24/7 and stop him at the right moment so he won’t overtrain.”
—Arman Tsarukyan, Training Partner
These measures are aimed at avoiding burnout, which has been a recurring concern for Chimaev. Fans online have praised the focus on sports science in his camp, pointing out that proper recovery management is essential for fighters to sustain their careers and competitive edge.
“This is why sports science is crucial. Many fighters burn out before they even step in the cage.”
—Fan
“That’s why he fights once every 10 months.”
—Fan
Perspectives on Chimaev’s Potential in a Full Five-Round Fight
UFC bantamweight contender Marcus McGhee offered his analysis on Red Hawk Recap regarding Chimaev’s ability to showcase his full skill set over an extended fight duration. McGhee speculated that if Chimaev can maintain the intensity and grappling dominance he displays early in a fight across all five rounds, he would pose a significant challenge for any opponent, including du Plessis.
“What if he had five rounds of that? Like, you know, he’s shown in different times that he can go other rounds too. If he could be the Khamzat [Chimaev] he is in the first three minutes and then learn to up and down with that and turn that into a five-round type of style, man, who can deal with that? Who can deal with that type of Khamzat?”
—Marcus McGhee, UFC Bantamweight Contender
McGhee also noted how medical setbacks have impacted Chimaev’s consistency but remains optimistic about what the fighter can achieve if he overcomes those issues and stays healthy:
“I think a lot of the medical issues that he’s ran into play a big part in why he’s been had different issues as well. And if he doesn’t have any medical problems for this whole, and he’s been getting that good training in, man, that’s a problem. That’s my thing too, I don’t think we’ve seen his full capabilities yet.”
—Marcus McGhee, UFC Bantamweight Contender
What This Means for UFC 319 and Beyond
The integration of recovery technology in Chimaev’s training camp signals a strategic approach to managing his intense work ethic ahead of one of the biggest fights of his career. By actively monitoring his physical condition, his team hopes to preserve his energy and maximize his output in the octagon against du Plessis. This focus on health and recovery could also enable Chimaev to compete more frequently and consistently in the future, addressing previous concerns about his long intervals between bouts.
As the UFC 319 event approaches at the United Center in Chicago, observers will be keen to see how Chimaev’s refined training regimen translates into performance, especially given the challenges posed by a five-round title fight. With recovery protocols in place and expert insights from fellow fighters like McGhee, Chimaev’s upcoming bout is receiving heightened anticipation in the MMA community.