Khamzat Chimaev

Who is Khamzat Chimaev?

Khamzat Khizarovich Chimaev was born on May 1, 1994, in Gvardeyskoye, Chechnya, Russia. He began wrestling at the age of five in his hometown. In 2013, at 18, he emigrated to Sweden with his mother, joining his older brother. Despite living in Sweden for years, Chimaev never acquired Swedish citizenship, retaining his Russian citizenship. In 2023, he moved to the United Arab Emirates.

Early Life and Education

Khamzat Khizarovich Chimaev was born on May 1, 1994, in the village of Gvardeyskoye, located in the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, now part of Russia’s Chechnya. He began wrestling at the tender age of five, showcasing an early passion and talent for the sport. Reports suggest that during his junior years, he secured a bronze medal at the Russian National Championships, highlighting his potential in wrestling. In 2013, at 18, Chimaev emigrated to Sweden with his mother, joining his older brother who had previously settled there. Despite residing in Sweden for several years, he retained his Russian citizenship and did not acquire Swedish nationality. In 2023, seeking new opportunities, Chimaev relocated to the United Arab Emirates.

Personal Life

A distinctive feature of Chimaev is the prominent scar on his lip, a result of an accident at the age of two when he fell on concrete stairs, leaving him with impaired breathing through one nostril. Before embarking on a professional fighting career, he worked at a poultry factory in Kalmar, Sweden, and also took on security roles to support himself. Chimaev has an older brother named Artur, who is a freestyle wrestler, indicating that athletic prowess runs in the family. In December 2020, Chimaev contracted COVID-19, which led to severe symptoms, multiple hospitalizations, and the cancellation of a scheduled fight against Leon Edwards. He shares a close bond with fellow mixed martial artists Darren Till and Jack Hermansson, often training together to hone their skills. In January 2025, Chimaev was granted citizenship by the United Arab Emirates, marking a new chapter in his personal and professional life.

Family

Chimaev’s family has been a significant influence on his life and career. His older brother, Artur, is an accomplished freestyle wrestler, suggesting that the Chimaev family has a strong wrestling tradition. While specific details about other family members are limited, it’s evident that his family’s move to Sweden played a crucial role in providing him with opportunities to pursue his athletic ambitions.

Detailed Bio Table

Mixed Martial Arts Career

Chimaev’s journey in mixed martial arts (MMA) began relatively late; he started training in MMA at the age of 23. He joined the Allstars Training Center in Stockholm, training alongside notable fighters like Alexander Gustafsson, Ilir Latifi, and Reza Madadi. Gustafsson, a three-time UFC Light Heavyweight Championship challenger, praised Chimaev as one of the best fighters he had ever trained with. Chimaev’s decision to pursue MMA was inspired by watching the iconic fight between Conor McGregor and José Aldo, which motivated him to transition from wrestling to mixed martial arts.

Between September 2017 and April 2018, Chimaev competed in three amateur MMA fights, winning all and showcasing his dominance with two submissions and one technical knockout. He turned professional on May 26, 2018, debuting at International Ring Fight Arena 14 against Gard Olve Sagen, securing a technical knockout in the second round. Following this, he continued his winning streak with a first-round submission victory over Ole Magnor at Fight Club Rush 3.

Brave Combat Federation

Chimaev’s impressive performances caught the attention of the Brave Combat Federation, a Middle Eastern MMA organization. He made his promotional debut on November 16, 2018, against Marko Kisič, winning via first-round technical knockout. Demonstrating his readiness and skill, he accepted a short-notice fight against Sidney Wheeler on December 22, 2018, at Brave CF 20, finishing the bout in just 35 seconds. Continuing his ascent, Chimaev faced Ikram Aliskerov on April 19, 2019, marking his welterweight debut, and delivered a stunning first-round knockout with an uppercut, earning the Knockout of the Night award. He further solidified his reputation with a second-round submission victory over Mzwandile Hlongwa on October 4, 2019.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Career

Chimaev’s transition to the UFC was marked by a series of dominant performances. He made his UFC debut on July 16, 2020, against John Phillips, securing a second-round submission victory. Demonstrating remarkable versatility, he fought again just ten days later, moving up a weight class to face Rhys McKee, and won via first-round technical knockout. His rapid rise continued with a 17-second knockout of Gerald Meerschaert on September 19, 2020. However, his momentum was briefly halted due to complications from COVID-19, leading to a temporary retirement announcement in March 2021, which he later retracted. Upon his return, Chimaev faced Li Jingliang on October 30, 2021, at UFC 267, winning via first-round technical submission. He then secured a unanimous decision victory over Gilbert Burns on April 9, 2022, at UFC 273, in a bout that earned Fight of the Night honors. After a one-year hiatus, Chimaev returned to the middleweight division on October 21, 2023, at UFC 294, defeating former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman by majority decision. Continuing his dominance, he secured a first-round submission victory over former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308, solidifying his position as a top contender in the division.

Recent Match

In this bout, Chimaev secured a first-round submission victory over former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, applying a face crank that led to a tap-out. Whittaker later indicated that the submission might have dislocated his jaw.

Popular and Legendary Matches

Physical Appearance

Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) and weighing 186 pounds (84 kilograms), Chimaev has an imposing presence in the octagon. His reach of 75 inches (190 centimeters) complements his fighting style, allowing him to effectively engage opponents both in striking and grappling exchanges. His athletic build and conditioning are testaments to his rigorous training regimen.

Latest News

As of February 2025, Khamzat Chimaev has been involved in a public feud with fellow UFC fighter Sean Strickland. The dispute escalated when Chimaev mocked Strickland’s emotional breakdown over his abusive father during a podcast. In response, Strickland criticized Chimaev’s association with Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Chechnya, accusing Chimaev of fleeing Chechnya and later compromising his values for material gain. This ongoing feud has garnered significant attention in the MMA community.

Social Media Accounts

Net Worth as of 2025

As of 2025, Khamzat Chimaev’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million. This valuation accounts for his fight purses, performance bonuses, sponsorships, and other income sources related to his MMA career. His rapid rise in the UFC and undefeated record have significantly contributed to his financial standing.

People also ask

Why did Khamzat Chimaev retire?

Khamzat Chimaev did not officially retire from MMA. However, in 2022, he hinted at retirement due to lingering health issues caused by COVID-19. Later, he clarified that he would continue fighting, and his retirement talk was a moment of frustration.

How many losses does Khamzat Chimaev have?

As of now, Khamzat Chimaev remains undefeated in his professional MMA career. He has not suffered any losses in the UFC or any other promotion.

Is Khamzat Chimaev a black belt?

No, Khamzat Chimaev is not a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). While he is highly skilled in wrestling and grappling, his rank in BJJ is not at the black belt level. However, his grappling abilities are considered elite due to his wrestling background.