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 defended his love of money by explaining it provides opportunities to help people, including those in his village who are sick and need assistance. He addressed critics who claim he is inactive, stating he doesn't care about their opinions because he earns millions from the UFC and even more outside of fighting through sponsorships and business opportunities. Chimaev emphasized that he fights not only for himself but also to give back to his community and help others.
Khamzat Chimaev has revealed he invested between $600,000 and $700,000 of his own money to construct a wrestling gym for children in his home village in Chechnya, offering a glimpse into how the middleweight contender chooses to spend his considerable earnings.
Speaking on the "Beyond The Win" channel, Chimaev pushed back against critics who have questioned both his love of money and his activity level inside the octagon. He made clear he does not concern himself with outside opinions, noting that his UFC purses run into the millions while sponsorships and business ventures bring in additional income beyond fighting. That financial position, he explained, is what allows him to give back — funding the gym, supporting sick members of his community, and helping people in his village who need assistance. The facility, he emphasized, was built specifically to give local children a place to train.
The 31-year-old — currently listed at 32 — holds a record of 15 wins and one loss and sits at number one in the middleweight division, as well as tenth in the pound-for-pound rankings. Born in Chechnya and now based in the United Arab Emirates, Chimaev trains out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden and has built a reputation as one of the most physically imposing fighters in the sport. His numbers inside the cage reflect that dominance: he lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate, and his takedown output of 5.29 per fifteen minutes places him among the most active grapplers in the division.
Why it matters
- The investment underscores the personal significance wrestling holds for Chimaev, whose grappling-first style has defined his rise through the UFC rankings.
- His comments addressing inactivity criticism suggest the story could resurface ahead of any future fight announcement at middleweight.
- The gym provides a tangible infrastructure boost for youth combat sports in a region with deep wrestling roots.
