About Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev is a highly skilled mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler who has made a name for himself in the UFC welterweight division. Born in Chechnya, Russia, Chimaev moved to Sweden when he was a child and began training in wrestling at a young age. He quickly rose through the ranks and became a three-time Swedish National champion in wrestling. Chimaev made his professional MMA debut in 2018 and quickly gained attention for his impressive performances. He signed with the UFC in 2020 and has since racked up an undefeated record in the promotion, with victories over top-ranked opponents such as Gerald Meerschaert and Leon Edwards. As of April 2022, Chimaev is ranked #3 in the UFC welterweight division and is considered one of the most promising young fighters in the sport. Known for his relentless grappling and ground-and-pound skills, Chimaev has earned a reputation as a fearsome opponent who is capable of finishing fights quickly and decisively. He has also been praised for his toughness and durability, as evidenced by his ability to absorb punishment and keep pushing forward in the face of adversity. With his impressive skill set and impressive record, Chimaev is poised to become a dominant force in the UFC for years to come.
Khamzat Chimaev Early Life & Family
Khamzat Chimaev, born on May 1st, 1994, hails from Chechnya, a federal subject of the Russian Federation. He is of mixed ethnicity and belongs to the White race. Khamzat, who turned 29 in 2023, holds Swedish nationality, practices Islam as his religion, and his zodiac sign is Taurus. He began wrestling at the tender age of five, but no information about his parents is available, except that his mother was a homemaker. Khamzat has a brother named Artur Chimaev, and in 2013, he moved to Sweden with his mother to join his elder brother.
Khamzat Chimaev attended a local private school, followed by a university in Sweden, though details about his field of study are unknown.
Khamzat Chimaev Career
- After relocating to Sweden, Khamzat Chimaev participated in multiple wrestling clubs including BK Athén. He is considered one of the best freestyle wrestlers in the country and has won the gold medal in the Swedish Freestyle National Championships at 86 and 92 kilograms in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
- Throughout the tournament, Chimaev exhibited dominant performances with an overall record of 12-0, including three pins, seven technical falls, and a combined score of 105 points while conceding only two himself. He has also competed in a few judo tournaments and four combat sambo fights.
- On November 19, 2021, Chimaev competed against UFC contender Jack Hermansson in a freestyle wrestling match at Bulldog Fight Night 9 and won on points.
- Khamzat Chimaev began his MMA training at the age of 23 and trains at the Allstar Training Center in Stockholm, alongside UFC fighters such as Alexander Gustafsson and Ilir Latifi.
- According to Gustafsson, Chimaev is one of the best fighters he has trained with. In an interview with ESPN, Chimaev mentioned that he was inspired to start his MMA career after watching Conor McGregor's fight against Aldo.
- He had his first professional MMA fight on May 26, 2018, defeating Gard Olve Sagen via technical knockout.
- He then won his second professional fight against Ole Magnor at Fight Club Rush 3 by submission with a rear naked choke in the first round.
- Prior to turning pro, Chimaev had three amateur MMA fights, winning all three.
- After his first two professional fights in Sweden, Khamzat Chimaev joined the Middle Eastern organization Brave Combat Federation. He made his promotional debut against Marko Kisic at Brave CF 18, winning via technical knockout in the first round.
- Chimaev then defeated Sidney Wheeler on short notice at Brave CF 20, earning a technical knockout victory in just 35 seconds. He won his next fight against Ikram Aliskerov at Brave CF 23, earning Brave's Knockout of the Night award.
- Chimaev's fourth promotional fight was against Mzwandile Hlongwa, which he won via submission in the second round.
- He was scheduled to fight Jarrah Al-Selawe for the BCF Welterweight Championship at Brave CF 37, but the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Chimaev's signing with the UFC.
- Khamzat made his promotional debut in the UFC on July 16, 2020, in a middleweight bout against John Phillips.
- He won the fight via submission in the second round, earning him the Performance of the Night award. Ten days after his debut, Chimaev fought Rhys McKee at welterweight and won the fight via technical knockout in the first round, earning his second Performance of the Night bonus award.
- He then set a new UFC record for the fastest consecutive wins in modern UFC history with three wins in 66 days after defeating Gerald Meerschaert via knockout just 17 seconds into round one.
- Chimaev's career was put on hold after contracting COVID-19, but he returned on October 30, 2021, to face Li Jingliang at UFC 267, winning via technical submission and earning his fourth straight Performance of the Night award.
- On April 9, 2022, he faced Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 and won via unanimous decision, the first decision victory of his career, and was awarded Fight of the Night award and first place in the Crypto.com Fan Bonus of the Night award.
- On September 10, 2022, Chimaev missed weight for his scheduled main event bout with Nate Diaz, resulting in his removal from the bout. Instead, he faced Kevin Holland in the co-main event at a 180-pound catchweight bout, which he won via D'Arce Choke in the first round.
- Despite his setbacks, Chimaev has established himself as a promising fighter in the UFC, with a record of 10 wins and 0 losses in his professional career. His unique fighting style, combined with his impressive winning streak and multiple performance awards, has made him a fan favorite in the MMA community.
- Khamzat Chimaev's professional mixed martial arts record stands at 12 wins and 0 losses, with 6 wins by knockout, 5 by submission, and 1 by decision.
Khamzat Chimaev Awards and Achievements
Mixed martial arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Gilbert Burns
- Performance of the Night (Four times) vs. John Phillips, Rhys McKee, Gerald Meerschaert, and Li Jingliang
- Record for fastest consecutive wins in Modern UFC history (ten days)
- Record for quickest three fight win streak in Modern UFC history (66 days)
- 2020 UFC Honors Debut of the Year
Crypto.com
- Fan Bonus of the Night vs. Gilbert Burns
Brave Combat Federation
- Knockout of the Night (One time) vs. Ikram Aliskerov
Nordic MMA Awards – MMAviking.com
- 2018 Prospect of the Year
- 2020 Male fighter of the Year
MMAjunkie.com
- 2020 September Knockout of the Month vs. Gerald Meerschaert
- 2020 Newcomer of the Year
MMA Fighting
- 2020 "Breakout Fighter of the Year"
CombatPress.com
- 2020 "Breakthrough Fighter of the Year"
BT Sport
- 2020 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year
Freestyle wrestling
Swedish Wrestling Federation
- 2018 Swedish Championships champion, 92 kg
- 2016 Swedish Championships champion, 86 kg
- 2016 Solacup Championships champion, 86 kg
- 2015 Hammarslaget Championships champion, 86 kg
- 2015 Swedish Championships champion, 86 kg
- 2015 Lilla Mälarcupen Championships champion, 86 kg
Khamzat Chimaev Married & Wife
Khamzat Chimaev reportedly got married in 2022 in his hometown of Chechnya. Details about his wife is missing at the moment. Although not much is known about the event, pictures, and videos of the ceremony started surfacing online. Chechen Republic Head Ramzan Kadyrov, who is a close friend of Chimaev, was present at the wedding and posted a video package of the event on his personal Instagram account. The video showcased highlights from the ceremony, a police escort of the bride, and Chimaev walking into the building where the wedding took place. “Friends, the day before, I accepted with great pleasure an invitation to a wedding event, which took place at the Sail restaurant,” Kadyrov wrote (translation via Google). “Dear BROTHER, UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev tied himself up with family ties. Not only Khamzat’s relatives and friends gathered here, but also numerous friends. Everything was perfectly organized in accordance with national traditions.” “I really enjoyed my visit to the celebration,” Kadyrov continued. “After all, each new family in the Chechen Republic is an additional reason for the joy of all its inhabitants. I heartily congratulate the newlyweds! I sincerely wish the contentment of the Almighty, good health, happiness, and prosperity!”
Details about Chimaev's marriage are scarce, and it is understandable as it is a private matter. However, the presence of Kadyrov at the wedding indicates the significance of the event to both Chimaev and the Chechen Republic. Chimaev has often spoken about his love for his home country, and the wedding seems to have been a big event for him and his loved ones.
Khamzat Chimaev Net Worth
Khamzat Chimaev's net worth is primarily derived from his successful career in wrestling and MMA fights. Apart from his earnings from his fights, he also earns money from his endorsements and sponsorships. As he gains more popularity, his endorsement deals are expected to increase in value. With his continuous success in the industry, it is expected that his net worth will continue to grow in the coming years.
However, it is important to note that being a professional fighter requires a lot of expenses for training, equipment, and travel. Therefore, even though his net worth is estimated to be $1 million, his actual take-home income may be lower. Nonetheless, with his growing success, it is expected that his earnings will continue to increase, and he will remain one of the most popular and successful fighters in the MMA world.
Khamzat Chimaev Height & Weight
Khamzat Chimaev is a professional MMA fighter known for his impressive physique. He stands at a towering height of 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) and weighs a balanced 179 lbs (81 kg; 12 st 11 lbs). He wears a shoe size of 9 UK and has black hair and dark brown eyes. Chimaev's dedication to his craft is evident in his strong and healthy body build, which he maintains through rigorous training. He spends over four hours per day practicing martial arts and regularly hits the gym for intense workouts to keep his physical stats in top condition. To support his fitness regimen, Chimaev follows a healthy non-vegetarian diet.
Chimaev's impressive physique and commitment to training have helped him become a successful MMA fighter. He is known for his slim muscular body shape, which allows him to move quickly and efficiently in the octagon. Chimaev's training regimen and healthy lifestyle also contribute to his mental and emotional resilience, helping him stay focused and motivated both inside and outside of the ring. Overall, Chimaev's dedication to fitness and his craft has helped him achieve great success in his career as an MMA fighter.
