Khamzat Chimaev is rapidly becoming one of, if not the most exciting fighter in MMA and his popularity grows daily. Incredible athletic ability mixed with an unwaveringly aggressive manner in the cage, the determination of a lion, and phenomenal popularity have seen him climb up the UFC ranks at an alarming rate. Chimaev was born on May 1, 1994, in Chechnya, Russia but made the move to Sweden as a teenager and set out to become one of the top fighters on the planet. READ MORE: Who is Khamzat Chimaev, the UFC’s newest sensation, and three key questions surrounding his career
| Mixed martial arts record | |
|---|---|
| Total | 13 |
| Wins | 13 |
| By knockout | 6 |
| By submission | 5 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Amateur record | |
| Total | 3 |
| Wins | 3 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 2 |
Early Life & Wrestling History
Chimaev began grappling at the age of five in Chechnya where wrestling is a long-standing cultural aspect. A natural talent, he soon rose to the ranks and experienced triumph as a Junior champion on numerous occasions. Chimaev moved to Sweden at 18 and would continue his wrestling career while capturing numerous national titles. His wrestling base has been one of his biggest strengths in the world of MMA by keeping opponents at bay and dictating the terms on the ground with superior grappling.
Transition to MMA
Chimaev transitioned to MMA quickly and effectively. He competed in the Brave Combat Federation that same year and he made a name for himself as an elusive and aggressive fighter, earning his fighting spirit. Representing Brave with a 6-0 record, Chimaev earned the call from the UFC in 2020.
UFC Debut and Rapid Rise
Chimaev made his UFC debut on July 16, 2020, against John Phillips at UFC Fight Night 172. Chimaev dominated throughout, landing a second-round submission. Only ten days after that loss, he fought once more, this time at UFC Fight Night 174 where he took out Scot Rhys McKee in the first round. It was an amazing accomplishment and this made him the quickest fighter to win two UFC fights beating just in 10 days, which immediately some attention to what he might do next.
In his next fight an experienced veteran Gerald Meerschaert, Chimaev knocked out with a massive right hook 17 seconds into the first-round all but solidifying himself as a bona fide star. For good reason: his fast finishing and ability to smash his way through everyone with both striking and grappling has seen him likened to the best in the UFC – Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Setbacks and Comeback to Octagon
Chimaev began his career on a tear, but it hit a wall in 2021 when he tested positive for COVID-19. His bout with the sickness was so bad that he considered retirement at one point due to the lasting impact it made on his body. But a year later and getting the right medical attention to recovery, Chimaev was back in 2022 in the octagon.
He made a stellar comeback after that, beating Li Jingliang at UFC 267 in October 2021. It was a fantastic outing from Chimaev as he utterly wrecked Li the entire fight before scoring the first-round submission and re-announcing himself as one of the best welterweights.
Standing Particulars and Strengthsent-ultipparteterminers
Chimaev is a fearless, superieur prep wrestler with knockout power. His wrestling base allows him to ground his opponents and beat them with strikes or submission attempts. Chimaev has been a stable participant on the feet, demonstrating knockout power with stoppages towards Gerald Meerschaert and Rhys McKee.
One of his best attributes is his variety. Not only is he able to compete at both welterweight (170 lbs) and middleweight (185 lbs), but he also presents a threat in both divisions as well. It has made it difficult for anyone to prepare for him as he can end the fight in many different ways due to his blending of striking and grappling.
Check Out More Results and Upcoming Fights
Khamzat Chimaev is still the best upcoming UFC fighter in 2024. He lost to former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in his last fight at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi in October 2023. Chimaev defeated the Canadian at a catchweight of 174 pounds in a Fight of the Night winner, earning a majority decision after going three tough rounds. That victory places him on a path to a middleweight title shot, which UFC President Dana White hinted could have come as soon as over the weekend.
He wants to fight current UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland next. It has been widely speculated that this matchup is on the books and will happen in 2024 but it will be good to get the actual numbers. Chimaev claims he will be a ‘double champ,’ looking to win the welterweight belt and then move up to middleweight.
Net Worth and Popularity
Khamzat Chimaev Net Worth:- As of 2024, Khamzat Chimaev has an estimated net worth of around $1-2 million. The UFC has been a big contributor to his ascent as well, having put hundreds of thousands in his pockets thanks to the rapidly ascending superstar snatching up multiple performance bonuses and some sponsorships. As an increasingly popular fighter, Chimaev is expected to sign on to even more lucrative deals down the line.
It’s not exactly Chimaev mania outside of the cage. His aggressive, fearless nature and killer fight game won him millions on social media. Chimaev is a global superstar, especially among fans from Russia and Sweden who hails from, and his fanbase known as the “Wolfpack” are some of the most passionate and vocal in the MMA community.
Conclusion
Khamzat Chimaev has made an explosive impact on the UFC.IsTrue grappling and ground positions brought a stop to both Hermansson and Phillips all in less than 60 seconds. His blend of elite wrestling, one-punch knockout power and non-stop aggression has made him an immediate nightmare for anyone he faces. With aspirations to move up in the ranks and compete for championships, fans can look forward to seeing a lot more from this young fighter. When it comes to the welterweight and middleweight division you can bet that Khamzat Chimaev will headline all the headlines in MMA.
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