Khamzat Chimaev revealed he spent between $600,000 and $700,000 to build a wrestling gym for children in his village in Chechnya. In an interview on the Beyond The Win channel, Chimaev stated he fights not only for himself but to create opportunities to help people. He defended his earning focus, saying money allows him to assist those in need, including sick villagers who contact him. Chimaev dismissed critics of his fight activity, emphasizing he earns millions from UFC and even more outside the octagon through sponsorships and business ventures. He expressed gratitude for living his dream and building the Khamzat Chimaev brand.
Khamzat Chimaev has revealed he personally funded the construction of a wrestling gym for children in his home village in Chechnya, disclosing the project cost him between $600,000 and $700,000.
Speaking on the Beyond The Win channel, Chimaev explained that fighting is about more than personal success. He said his earnings allow him to help people in genuine need, including sick residents from his village who reach out to him directly. He pushed back against critics who question his fight activity, noting he earns millions through the UFC and generates even more income outside the octagon via sponsorships and business ventures. He described building the Khamzat Chimaev brand as part of living out a dream while creating lasting opportunities for others.
Chimaev, 31, currently competes at middleweight and sits first in the divisional rankings and tenth in the pound-for-pound standings with a professional record of 15-1. The Chechen-born fighter, who now represents the United Arab Emirates and trains out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, has built a reputation as one of the most physically dominant competitors in the sport. He lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 60 percent striking accuracy, while also averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes — a combination that has made him one of the division's most feared finishers.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's gym investment signals a long-term personal commitment to his Chechen roots despite representing the UAE competitively
- His comments about outside earnings underline how top-ranked fighters increasingly build financial portfolios beyond fight purses
- As the number-one ranked middleweight and a top-ten pound-for-pound fighter, Chimaev's public profile continues to grow well beyond the octagon
