Khamzat Chimaev has a close relationship with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Chimaev was given a Mercedes-Benz by Kadyrov, which he crashed months later.
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Khamzat Khizarovich Chimaev was born on May 1, 1994. He is a Swedish professional mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Welterweight category (UFC). He formerly participated in the Brave Combat Federation. Chimaev is a three-time Swedish National champion in wrestling. He is currently ranked third in the UFC welterweight rankings as of April 12, 2022.
Chimaev wrestled at many clubs in Sweden after moving there, notably BK Athén. Chimaev, regarded as one of the top freestyle wrestlers in the country, won gold medals at the Swedish Freestyle National Championships at 86 kilos in 2016 and 2017, and 92 kg in 2018. Chimaev has had a string of great performances in the competition, establishing an overall record of 12-0, which includes three pins, seven technical falls, and a total score of 105 points, while only surrendering two. Chimaev has participated in several judo events as well as four combat sambo battles. Chimaev defeated fellow UFC contender Jack Hermansson in a freestyle wrestling fight on November 19, 2021, at Sweden-based Bulldog Fight Night 9.
Chimaev began MMA training when he was 23 years old. He trains with three-time UFC Light Heavyweight Championship contenders Alexander Gustafsson, Ilir Latifi, and Reza Madadi, among others, at Allstar Training Center in Stockholm. During a press conference in June 2019, Gustafsson (one of his major training partners) informed a Swedish reporter that Chimaev was one of the finest fighters he had ever trained with.
Chimaev competed in three amateur MMA fights between September 2017 and April 2018. The first came against eventual IMMAF World Champion Khaled Laallam, whom he submitted in the second round. He won his next two amateur fights by submission and technical knockout, finishing his amateur career with a 3-0 record.
Chimaev made his pro debut on May 26, 2018, at International Ring Fight Arena 14, against Gard Olve Sagen. He won by technical knockout in the second round. Chimaev’s next bout was against Ole Magnor at Fight Club Rush 3 on August 18, 2018. He won by submission late in the first round with a rear naked choke.
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Chimaev signed with the Middle Eastern company Brave Combat Federation after his first two professional fights in Sweden. On November 16, 2018, he was set to make his promotional debut against Benjamin Bennett at Brave CF 18. Bennett, however, withdrew from the fight and was replaced by unbeaten prospect Marko Kisi. Chimaev won the fight in the first round via technical knockout after dropping his opponent with a left hand.
Chimaev had a tight turnaround for his next bout, taking on Sidney Wheeler on short notice at Brave CF 20 on 22 December 2018, replacing an injured Leon Aliu. He won by technical knockout 35 seconds into the first round. On April 19, 2019, he faced Ikram Aliskerov at Brave CF 23. Chimaev made his welterweight debut in this fight. He won by knockout in the first round after landing an uppercut. This performance earned him the Knockout of the Night title from Brave.
On 4 October 2019, at Brave CF 27, he faced Mzwandile Hlongwa in his fourth promotional bout. Chimaev won via submission in the second round. Chimaev was set to face Jarrah Al-Selawe for the BCF Welterweight Championship on April 18, 2020, at Brave CF 37, the promotion’s inaugural event in Chimaev’s homeland of Stockholm, Sweden. However, because of the COVID-19 epidemic, the event was postponed, and the fight was canceled completely after Chimaev signed up with the UFC instead.
According to The Sports Daily, Chimaev has earned more than $449,000 in his UFC career. He received a whopping $154,500 for his fast victory against Li Jingliang at UFC 267. With just four UFC fights, Khamzat Chimaev has amassed a tremendous fan base. The 27-year-old has a promising future in the UFC, and some brands affiliated with him include Energy Drink and Hatstore. Khamzat Chimaev and his buddy Darren Till volunteered at a soup kitchen in Stockholm to feed the destitute.
