Khamzat Chimaev revealed he spent six to seven hundred thousand dollars constructing a wrestling gym for children in his home village in Chechnya. In a detailed statement, Chimaev explained that he fights not only for himself but to help others, and dismissed criticism about his activity level by noting he earns millions from the UFC. He stated that he loves money because it provides opportunities to help people, including assisting villagers with medical expenses when needed. Chimaev also mentioned that he earns even more outside of fighting through sponsorships and business opportunities due to the name he has built. He expressed satisfaction with his UFC earnings and described himself as living his dream.
Khamzat Chimaev has revealed he spent between $600,000 and $700,000 of his own money to build a wrestling facility for children in his home village in Chechnya, offering a rare glimpse into how the middleweight contender chooses to use his UFC earnings.
Chimaev, known by his nickname "Borz," explained that the investment reflects a broader philosophy — that fighting is not purely a personal pursuit but a means to support those around him. He pushed back against critics who question his activity level in the cage, pointing to the millions he earns from the UFC as evidence that each appearance carries significant weight. Beyond his fight purses, Chimaev noted that sponsorships and business ventures have expanded his income further, bolstered by the brand he has built inside the octagon. He also mentioned helping villagers cover medical costs when the need arises, and said he considers himself to be living his dream.
The 31-year-old — now competing out of the United Arab Emirates and training at Allstars Training Center — carries a record of 15 wins and 1 loss in the middleweight division, where he currently sits ranked first among contenders and tenth on the pound-for-pound list. His fighting style is built on relentless pressure: he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands strikes at a 60 percent accuracy rate, putting up 4.04 significant strikes per minute. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he is a physically imposing presence at 185 pounds.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's willingness to spend at this level on community infrastructure underscores how seriously he treats his public profile beyond the sport
- His comments reframing criticism of his fight frequency around financial output reflect a calculated approach to managing expectations
- As the number-one ranked middleweight, the context of how he discusses his career and legacy carries weight for the division's landscape
