Khamzat Chimaev revealed he spent between $600,000 and $700,000 to construct a wrestling facility for children in his home village in Chechnya. In an interview, Chimaev defended his love of money by explaining it provides opportunities to help people, including assisting villagers with medical needs. He dismissed criticism about his fight inactivity, stating he earns millions and is living his dream. Chimaev emphasized that beyond his UFC earnings, he makes even more money outside of fighting due to his established name. He noted that sponsors and business partners seek him out wherever he goes, making his brand highly valuable.
Khamzat Chimaev has revealed he invested between $600,000 and $700,000 to build a wrestling facility for children in his home village in Chechnya, offering a rare glimpse into how the middleweight contender spends his earnings outside the octagon.
Speaking in a recent interview, Chimaev pushed back against criticism of his approach to money, explaining that financial success creates the ability to help others. He cited assisting villagers with medical expenses as one example of what his wealth makes possible. On the topic of fight inactivity, Chimaev was unapologetic, noting that he earns millions and is living out his dream. He also pointed out that his UFC purses represent only part of his income, with sponsors and business partners actively seeking him out, making his personal brand a significant revenue source in its own right.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," is 32 years old and carries a professional record of 15 wins and 1 loss. He competes at middleweight and currently sits at number one in the divisional rankings, as well as number ten in the pound-for-pound standings. Born in Chechnya and now based in the United Arab Emirates, he trains out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden. The six-foot-two contender owns a 75-inch reach and is regarded as one of the most well-rounded fighters in the sport, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 60 percent and 4.04 significant strikes landed per minute.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's public comments on inactivity add context to ongoing questions about his timeline for returning to competition at middleweight
- His ranking as the number one middleweight contender means any extended absence carries significant divisional implications
- The philanthropic investment in Chechnya reinforces the personal and cultural identity Chimaev has built as part of his public brand
