Tag: Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev sends message to former training partner Sean Strickland ahead of UFC 294: ‘I’m coming for him’

khamzat ChimaevKhamzat Chimaev sends warning to newly crowned UFC middleweight champion, Sean Strickland. Strickland gave the middleweight division a serious shake up after defeating Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. Strickland is now 185lb’s biggest target with numerous contenders gunning for his title. One of which is Chimaev, who seems to have made the permeant move up […]

khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev sends warning to newly crowned UFC middleweight champion, Sean Strickland.

Strickland gave the middleweight division a serious shake up after defeating Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. Strickland is now 185lb’s biggest target with numerous contenders gunning for his title.

One of which is Chimaev, who seems to have made the permeant move up to middleweight after missing weight at 170lbs. ‘Borz’ is set to take on former title challenger, Paulo Costa, at UFC 294 on October 21.

Khamzat Chimaev warns Sean Strickland

Talking on his YouTube channel, Chimaev has laid pout to capture the middleweight title and while he credited Strickland for his all his hard work to get to the top, makes it very clear that he will ‘smash anyone’ to get the title.

“Strickland, coming for him,” Chimaev began. “If you stay there, man, coming for you too. He works hard, deserves it, the guy is always in the gym, now he got the belt. He has a good team, good coach, I have been there, training with that guy.

“They deserve that belt. He has been active, fights with everybody. I don’t know why [the UFC] is waiting. Give that chance to me. They are hiding that belt from me. Anyway, like I said, when I smash everybody, they have to give that belt to me.” (H/T  MMA Mania)

Continuing on, Chimaev claims that he is simply more improved at the new weight class and seems to be enjoying not having to cut as much weight.

“It’s a different weight class,” Chimaev said. “Different power, we eat different, not hungry anymore. At 77 kg, I eat just rice, rice [and] fish, rice [and] chicken, it’s crazy. Now, more training than before, more food, more energy, different power, different energy, that’s good.“

A win over Costa would send Chimaev into serious title contention and would probably have to fight only one more fight at the worst to secure a shot at the belt.

Khamzat Chimaev talks Sean Strickland in latest YouTube video

Who wins, Khamzat Chimaev or Sean Strickland?

Khamzat Chimaev blasts UFC for his inactivity ahead of October return: ‘They’re hiding that belt from me’

Khamzat Chimaev blames inactivity on the UFC they're hiding the title from meUndefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has accused the UFC from preventing him from fighting for a championship under their banner, blaming the Dana White-led organization for his continued spell of inactivity since September of last year. Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, is slated to co-headline UFC 294 next month in Abu Dhabi, […]

Khamzat Chimaev blames inactivity on the UFC they're hiding the title from me

Undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has accused the UFC from preventing him from fighting for a championship under their banner, blaming the Dana White-led organization for his continued spell of inactivity since September of last year.

Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, is slated to co-headline UFC 294 next month in Abu Dhabi, UAE – taking on one-time middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa in a return to the middleweight limit, as the two clash in a potential title-eliminator.

Sidelined from the Octagon since he took co-main event honors at UFC 279 last September, Chimaev landed his twelfth consecutive victory – defeating recent Noche UFC feature, Kevin Holland with a dominant opening round D’Arce choke submission win.

Khamzat Chimaev blames his lack of activity on the UFC

However, yet to compete in the entire year since, Chimaev, who had previously blamed the UFC for his lack of activity over the course of the last annum, has claimed the organization are preventing him from fighting for an Octagon title.

“I don’t know why the guys [UFC] are waiting,” Khamzat Chimaev said on his official YouTube channel. “Give that chance [to fight for a championship] to me. They are hiding that belt from me.”

“Anyway, like I said: when I smash everybody, they have to give that belt to me,” Khamzat Chimaev concluded.

Prior to his submission win over impromptu opponent, Holland, Chimaev turned in a close decision win over former welterweight title challenger, Gilbert Burns last year to boot – and also offered props to newly-crowned middleweight champion, Sean Strickland on his championship win over Israel Adesanya earlier this month. 

“He works hard, he deserves it,” Khamzat Chimaev said of Sean Strickland. “The guy is always in the gym. Now he got the belt. He has a good coach, a good team. I’ve been there training with that guy. They deserve that belt. He has been active, and fights with everybody.” 

Does Khamzat Chimaev earn a title fight with a victory at UFC 294 next month?

Khamzat Chimaev blasts UFC for his inactivity ahead of October return: ‘They’re hiding that belt from me’

Khamzat Chimaev blames inactivity on the UFC they're hiding the title from meUndefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has accused the UFC from preventing him from fighting for a championship under their banner, blaming the Dana White-led organization for his continued spell of inactivity since September of last year. Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, is slated to co-headline UFC 294 next month in Abu Dhabi, […]

Khamzat Chimaev blames inactivity on the UFC they're hiding the title from me

Undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has accused the UFC from preventing him from fighting for a championship under their banner, blaming the Dana White-led organization for his continued spell of inactivity since September of last year.

Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, is slated to co-headline UFC 294 next month in Abu Dhabi, UAE – taking on one-time middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa in a return to the middleweight limit, as the two clash in a potential title-eliminator.

Sidelined from the Octagon since he took co-main event honors at UFC 279 last September, Chimaev landed his twelfth consecutive victory – defeating recent Noche UFC feature, Kevin Holland with a dominant opening round D’Arce choke submission win.

Khamzat Chimaev blames his lack of activity on the UFC

However, yet to compete in the entire year since, Chimaev, who had previously blamed the UFC for his lack of activity over the course of the last annum, has claimed the organization are preventing him from fighting for an Octagon title.

“I don’t know why the guys [UFC] are waiting,” Khamzat Chimaev said on his official YouTube channel. “Give that chance [to fight for a championship] to me. They are hiding that belt from me.”

“Anyway, like I said: when I smash everybody, they have to give that belt to me,” Khamzat Chimaev concluded.

Prior to his submission win over impromptu opponent, Holland, Chimaev turned in a close decision win over former welterweight title challenger, Gilbert Burns last year to boot – and also offered props to newly-crowned middleweight champion, Sean Strickland on his championship win over Israel Adesanya earlier this month. 

“He works hard, he deserves it,” Khamzat Chimaev said of Sean Strickland. “The guy is always in the gym. Now he got the belt. He has a good coach, a good team. I’ve been there training with that guy. They deserve that belt. He has been active, and fights with everybody.” 

Does Khamzat Chimaev earn a title fight with a victory at UFC 294 next month?

Report: Khamzat Chimaev severs ties with Sweden, will represent the UAE at UFC 294

Khamzat ChimaevKhamzat Chimaev will not represent Sweden when he makes his return to the Octagon on October 21. Since making his promotional debut in 2020, ‘Borz’ has always represented Sweden. Moving to the Northern European country at the age of 18, Chimaev has been a long-time member of the Allstar Training Center in Stockholm, but going […]

Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev will not represent Sweden when he makes his return to the Octagon on October 21.

Since making his promotional debut in 2020, ‘Borz’ has always represented Sweden. Moving to the Northern European country at the age of 18, Chimaev has been a long-time member of the Allstar Training Center in Stockholm, but going forward, the undefeated contender will reportedly represent his new home, the United Arab Emirates, beginning with UFC 294.

Though Chimaev was born in Chechnya and still has strong ties to the country courtesy of his relationship with embattled Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, ‘Borz’ has typically chosen to represent the country he resided in. The UFC typically allows fighters to represent any country they choose, regardless of their nationality. With his permanent move from Sweden to the UAE, the move should come as no surprise, but a report from @Pelunaton on X suggested that there may be some political motivations behind the move.

According to some Russian media reports, Khamzat Chimaev would no longer represent Sweden (I think due to political issues due to the burning of the Koran) he will now represent the United Arab Emirates.

In 2023, a number of instances of Quran-burning occurred in Sweden, the most notable of which occurred in June, when a 37-year-old Iraqi Christian refugee ripped out and set fire to pages of the Quran outside the Stockholm Mosque. The incident sparked protests in multiple Muslim countries which only fueled more instances of Quran-burning in both Sweden and Denmark.

Could Khamzat Chimaev Secure His First Title Opportunity with a Win at UFC 294?

Khamzat Chimaev will be making his first appearance in more than a year by the time UFC 294 rolls around. ‘Borz’ last competed at UFC 279 in September 2022, scoring a first-round submission against Kevin Holland to extend his undefeated streak to 12. Meeting him inside Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi will be another fighter making their own return after a lengthy layoff, Paulo Costa.

The Eraser’ last competed in August 2022, securing a win over former middleweight world champion Luke Rockhold.

Many believe that the bout could serve as a potential title eliminator with the division now wide open courtesy of Sean Strickland’s shocking win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293.

Gilbert Burns wants to see a double knockout between Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa at UFC 294

Gilbert BurnsGilbert Burns doesn’t see Paulo Costa giving Khamzat Chimaev much more of a challenge than he himself did last year. On October 21, Costa and Chimaev will make their respective returns to the Octagon after more than a year on the shelf. Emanating from Etihiad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UFC 294 will feature a stacked […]

Gilbert Burns

Gilbert Burns doesn’t see Paulo Costa giving Khamzat Chimaev much more of a challenge than he himself did last year.

On October 21, Costa and Chimaev will make their respective returns to the Octagon after more than a year on the shelf. Emanating from Etihiad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UFC 294 will feature a stacked night of fights, but few are more intriguing than the middleweight matchup pitting an undefeated Chechen monster against the one-time title challenger.

Chimaev goes into the contest on the cusp of his first title opportunity, but if Costa manages to score what many would consider to be an upset, he could walk straight into his second crack at UFC gold.

Gilbert Burns doesn’t see that happening.

Stepping inside the Octagon with Chimaev at UFC 273, Burns gave ‘Borz’ the toughest test of his career thus far, but it still wasn’t enough as the Chechen came out on top via a unanimous decision. Speaking with Mike Owens in a MiddleEasy exclusive interview, ‘Durinho’ suggested that Costa doesn’t have the heart needed to survive the kind of onslaught that Chimaev brings to his opponents.

“He’s a big guy, but I don’t think he has the heart that I have,” Burns said. “I don’t think he has the jiu-jitsu that I have. He doesn’t have the get-ups that I have. He doesn’t have the submission threat that I have that makes Khamzat not want to grapple.

“He’s a very strong and big guy, but if I had to guess – and I don’t like both of these guys, a double knockout would be the best result – but it’s a 50-50 fight,” Burns added. “If Khamzat is able to take him down, it’ll be a hard night for Costa. If Costa is able to defend the takedown, it’ll be a hard night for Khamzat.”

While we wouldn’t put any money on a double knockout finish, it has happened before. During the Ultimate Fighter 5 finale in 2007, Gray Maynard and Robert Emerson were both unable to continue their contest following an attempted takedown from Maynard. Lifting up Emerson during a double leg, Maynard slammed his opponent back down to the canvas, instantly breaking Emerson’s ribs and causing him to tap out immediately. However, Maynard knocked himself out in the process by hitting his head on the canvas. The bout was ruled a no contest as both men were unable to continue.

So, never say never.

Khamzat Chimaev sends chilling message to bitter rival Paulo Costa ahead of UFC 294 fight: ‘You’re dead, man’

Khamzat Chimaev sends chilling message to Paulo Costa at UFC 294 You're dead manSlated to make his Octagon comeback next month at UFC 294 in October, undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has warned one-time middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa ahead of their clash, vowing to send him back to his native Brazil “in a package”.  Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, is slated to make his […]

Khamzat Chimaev sends chilling message to Paulo Costa at UFC 294 You're dead man

Slated to make his Octagon comeback next month at UFC 294 in October, undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has warned one-time middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa ahead of their clash, vowing to send him back to his native Brazil “in a package”. 

Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, is slated to make his middleweight division return for the first time since his promotional bow back in 2020, taking on Belo Horizonte native, Costa over the course of three rounds in a pivotal potential title-eliminator at UFC 294.

Sidelined since September of last year, AllStars MMA staple, Chimaev most recently turned in a dominant opening round submission win over incoming Noche UFC co-headliner, Kevin Holland, submitting the Riverside striker with a first round D’Arce choke submission victory.

Propelling his record to 12-0 as a result, Chimaev, who missed weight for a planned event headliner with Nate Diaz by a whopping seven and a half pounds, has been instructed to make a middleweight return for his return – resulting in a comeback fight against middleweight rival, Costa.

Khamzat Chimaev vows to send Paulo Costa back to Brazil as a “dead man”

And attempting to shake up the division even more off the back of Sean Stickland’s stunning title victory over former two-time champion, Israel Adesanya last weekend at UFC 293, Chimaev has issued a chilling warning to Costa, ahead of their clash in the Middle East.

“Paulo (Costa), you’re dead, man,” Khamzat Chimaev said on his official YouTube channel. “Just be sure to come up to the cage, (I’ll) beat you up (and) send you back in a package to Brazil.”

“But, still in Brazil, they don’t want you,” Khamzat Chimaev explained. “No countries recognize you. Now you’re coming to my country. Muslims, brother, they’re coming for you. Allahu Akhbar.” 

Himself predicting his own respective victory against Chimaev, Costa claimed he would land a “savage” finish of the Chechen-born contender – likely within the very first round of their UFC 294 grudge match. 

WIll Khamzat Chimaev remain undefeated as he takes on Paulo Costa at UFC 294?