Khamzat Chimaev revealed he spent between $600,000 and $700,000 to construct a wrestling facility for children in his village in Chechnya. He explained that he fights not only for himself but to generate opportunities to help others, including assisting sick people in his community who reach out to him. Chimaev defended his fighting schedule against critics, stating he earns millions from the UFC and even more outside the octagon through sponsorships and business opportunities built on his name. He emphasized that he is living his dream and is grateful for the money the UFC pays him. Chimaev made these comments during an appearance on the Beyond The Win channel.
Khamzat Chimaev has revealed that he personally funded the construction of a wrestling facility in his Chechen village to the tune of $600,000 to $700,000, sharing the details during a recent appearance on the Beyond The Win channel.
The undefeated-until-recently middleweight contender explained that his motivation extends well beyond personal success. He described fighting as a vehicle for creating wider opportunities, including helping sick members of his community who contact him directly seeking assistance. Chimaev also pushed back against critics who have questioned his fighting schedule, pointing to the substantial income his career generates — millions from the UFC alone, with additional revenue flowing from sponsorships and business ventures built on his profile.
Chimaev, who carries a 15-1 record and currently sits as the top-ranked middleweight contender and number ten on the pound-for-pound rankings, has built one of the most compelling resumes in the division. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates and trains out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, stands six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach. Inside the octagon he is a relentless presence, averaging 4.04 significant strikes landed per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate, while also threatening consistently on the ground with 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.8 submission attempts over the same period.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's comments offer a rare look at how top UFC fighters deploy their earnings outside of competition
- His investment in Chechnya signals a long-term personal commitment to his home region regardless of where his professional career takes him
- The remarks about his fighting schedule and earning power come amid broader public scrutiny of how often he competes at the elite middleweight level
