Dmitry Bivol Return brings questions to back surgery

Bivol is expected to return in March or April to defend his IBF title against mandatory challenger Michael Eifert. It would be his first fight since February 2025, when he defeated Artur Beterbiev by majority decision over twelve rounds. Bivol is scheduled to resume full training in February.

The win evened his streak with Beterbiev at one apiece. It also failed to establish much. Many observers believe that any fights could have gone the other way. The planned trilogy has now been pushed back nearly a year due to Bivol’s injury, and that delay carries risk. Beterbiev’s style is built on pressure and power. Time away doesn’t mean it can blunt movement in the same way.

Bivol’s game depends on footwork, timing and reactions. Those qualities tend to fade sooner than strength. Long layoffs don’t help, and back surgery adds another unknown. A fighter built around control and evasion cannot afford much slippage.

Clips of Bivol work pads surfaced online this week, showing him moving well and throwing sharply. This is reassuring but limited. Pads don’t hit back. They don’t force resets, pivots, or long defensive sequences. These are the areas that will decide his future battles.

Beyond Beterbiev there is also David Benavidez. Benavidez is younger and physically demanding even for a healthy champion. That battle would be difficult under ideal circumstances. After the surgery and time away, it becomes more difficult to project.

For now, the division waits. The Eifert defense should show how much Bivol still has. What comes next depends on whether his legs and back hold up once the rounds start picking up again.