UFC's formidable welterweight Khamzat Chimaev has thrown a surprising curveball into the mixed martial arts world, publicly inviting tech billionaire and Telegram founder Pavel Durov to be in his corner for his next fight. This unexpected move comes as the fighter, known as 'Borz', is sidelined due to a foot injury requiring surgery, with a recovery timeline that stretches past Ramadan 2026.
Injury Timeline and Comeback Plans
Sources close to the fighter confirm that Khamzat Chimaev is currently off the active fight roster. He is scheduled for a minor operation on his foot and has informed reporters that he will pause full training until after the holy month of Ramadan. This planned recovery period means fans likely will not see him back inside the Octagon until late March or April 2026, contingent on his healing progress.
While on the mend, Chimaev has not been idle in planning his future. He has identified Nassourdine Imavov as a potential next opponent and has also responded to calls for a blockbuster superfight against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. His focus remains on securing high-stakes matches upon his return.
The Billionaire Corner Man Proposal
The intrigue deepened in late November to early December 2025 when Chimaev took to social media platform X with a direct message. He posted, in part, "Brother @durov in my corner next …". This public invitation to Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram whose net worth is estimated around $17.1 billion, instantly became headline news across MMA sites and social media feeds.
Promoters and media are now keenly watching to see if Durov will accept the offer. The invitation is not as far-fetched as it may seem. Durov has a history of collaborating with combat sports figures, most notably former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. In November 2025, Khabib leveraged Telegram's platform to sell digital papakha collectibles, raising an impressive $4 to $4.5 million, demonstrating the potent link between the platform, fighters, and wealthy backers.
History with Team Khabib and Path to Peace
The potential connection through Durov is particularly interesting given Chimaev's complicated history with Khabib Nurmagomedov's team. The two sides were involved in a heated near-altercation backstage at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi in October 2022, following Chimaev's push on Abubakar Nurmagomedov. The situation required intervention from Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and Khabib himself to de-escalate.
However, recently, Chimaev has made overtures towards mending fences. He posted a message praising current champion Islam Makhachev, signaling a desire for peace with the influential Dagestani group. This thaw in relations could pave the way for a Durov cornering scenario, given Durov's existing working relationship with Khabib.
If his recovery proceeds smoothly, Khamzat Chimaev's highly anticipated comeback fight is targeted for spring or early summer of 2026. Whether Pavel Durov will be cageside remains one of the most fascinating subplots in the sport as the wait begins.
