Khamzat Chimaev goes to the mountains to train, ready to crush Du Plessis at UFC 319.

Khamzat Chimaev is finally on the cusp of his long-awaited shot at UFC gold. After years of steamrolling competition, the undefeated Chechen-Swedish powerhouse will challenge Dricus Du Plessis for the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 319. But what’s grabbing headlines just as much as the fight itself is where and how Chimaev is preparing for the biggest moment of his career.

In a surprising yet calculated decision, Chimaev has chosen a secluded Olympic training base in the mountainous region of Kislovodsk, Russia, to conduct his fight camp. Nestled in the North Caucasus, this location isn’t just unique—it may be the most strategic move of his career.

Khamzat Chimaev’s Meteoric Rise to UFC Title Contention

Ever since Khamzat Chimaev burst onto the scene during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, fans and analysts alike have hailed him as a potential UFC double champion. His debut performances were nothing short of historic. Just ten days after dismantling John Phillips, Chimaev returned to finish Rhys McKee, breaking the record for the fastest turnaround win in UFC history.

Since then, “Borz” has remained undefeated, amassing key wins over:

• Gilbert Burns in a 2022 Fight of the Year contender

• Kamaru Usman via majority decision at UFC 294

• Robert Whittaker in a dominant showing at UFC 308

Now, with an 8-0 UFC record, Chimaev finally has the title shot that many believed should have come years earlier.

Why Khamzat Chimaev Chose a Secluded Mountain Camp for UFC 319

In the lead-up to UFC 319, Chimaev has gone back to his roots—literally and spiritually. Instead of training in Dubai or Sweden, as he has in the past, the Middleweight contender is training in Kislovodsk, a historic “spa city” with ties to elite Soviet-era athletics.

But the decision wasn’t just about nostalgia or scenery.

“I need peace. I need focus. I need the mountains. This is how I become the best version of myself,” Chimaev said in a recent interview.

There are three key reasons Chimaev cited for relocating to the Olympic base:

1. Health Recovery and Altitude Conditioning

Chimaev has openly discussed his past health struggles, including long-term complications from COVID-19. In fact, his health got so bad at one point that he briefly announced his retirement in 2021.

“In the past, I trained too hard. I used to push until my body gave up. That was a mistake,” he admitted.

By training in Kislovodsk, which sits at over 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) above sea level, Chimaev is focusing on cardiovascular conditioning and respiratory adaptation—something crucial against a cardio machine like Dricus Du Plessis.

2. Olympic-Level Facilities and Legacy

The training base Chimaev now occupies was built for the 1980 Moscow Olympics, once used by the Soviet Union’s elite athletes across various disciplines. The complex includes:

• High-altitude acclimatization rooms

• State-of-the-art recovery facilities

• Wrestling and combat-specific training areas

• Full isolation from media and public distractions

“This is not a luxury camp; it’s a championship camp,” said Chimaev. “Everything here is for building killers.”

The intense, utilitarian environment matches Chimaev’s no-nonsense approach and provides 24/7 access to training and recovery with zero distractions.

3. Mental Isolation and Warrior Spirit

The secluded mountain setting also serves a psychological purpose. For Chimaev, who embraces a “warrior monk” mentality, being away from cameras, interviews, and temptations helps him stay singularly focused on the mission.

“No phone. No distractions. Just war. That’s how champions are made,” he declared.

This mindset aligns with Chimaev’s identity as a warrior, something that’s central to his brand and fighting style.

New Team, New Methods: Chimaev’s Shift After Leaving Old Camp

Another major change heading into UFC 319 is Chimaev’s departure from his previous training team, which included Allstars Training Center in Sweden.

He confessed that under his old coaches, he often overtrained, sometimes sparring and lifting in the same day without proper recovery. It was a culture of grind-until-you-break—something he’s now intentionally avoiding.

Now, under a new multidisciplinary team composed of combat sports veterans, nutritionists, and performance coaches at the Olympic base, Chimaev’s camp is built around longevity and peak performance, not burnout.

Can This Camp Give Chimaev the Edge Against Dricus Du Plessis?

Dricus Du Plessis is no pushover. The South African champion has shocked the world with his resilience, power, and unorthodox fighting style. At UFC 297, he defeated Sean Strickland in a grueling five-round war to claim the Middleweight strap.

Du Plessis is known for:

• Smothering clinch pressure

• Relentless output

• Durability in deep waters

For Chimaev, the challenge will be outlasting Du Plessis in the later rounds without compromising his usual aggression.

That’s where the altitude training in Kislovodsk could become a secret weapon. Improved oxygen utilization and endurance might allow Chimaev to keep pushing even if the fight goes into the championship rounds—something he hasn’t yet experienced in the UFC.

Fans React to Chimaev’s Camp in the Mountains

When Chimaev posted a short training montage from the mountain base with the caption “No distractions. Only work,” fans were quick to respond:

“This is the old Khamzat—focused and ferocious,” one fan commented.

“Dricus better pray this guy doesn’t come in like 2020 Borz,” said another.

Many fans believe that if Chimaev brings the same hunger and explosiveness he displayed in his early UFC fights, Du Plessis may not survive the first two rounds.

Will This Be Chimaev’s Era?

With undefeated momentum, an optimized training environment, and a championship opportunity just months away, UFC 319 could be the birth of the Borz Era.

Chimaev has already hinted that he intends to chase double-champ status, stating that if he beats Du Plessis, he wants a shot at Leon Edwards or Islam Makhachev.

“I don’t care who it is. Give me all the belts,” Chimaev said.

That level of ambition means UFC 319 won’t be the finish line—it will be the launchpad for a new chapter in UFC history.

Conclusion: Chimaev’s Mountain Camp Could Be the X-Factor at UFC 319

While flashy gyms, tropical fight camps, and Instagram hype are the norm today, Khamzat Chimaev is taking a different route. By isolating himself in a historic Olympic facility in a remote Russian mountain village, “Borz” is sharpening not just his body, but also his mind.

This camp may prove to be the smartest decision of his career. If Chimaev walks into the Octagon at UFC 319 with the same speed, pressure, and cardio he showed in his early UFC fights—while adding enhanced fight IQ and composure—he could walk out with UFC gold around his waist.

The world will be watching on fight night, but for now, deep in the Caucasus mountains, a silent storm is brewing—and its name is Khamzat Chimaev.