Khamzat Chimaev revealed he spent between $600,000 and $700,000 to build a wrestling facility for children in his home village in Chechnya. In an interview on the "Beyond The Win" channel, Chimaev explained that he doesn't fight only for himself and emphasized that money provides opportunities to help people. He also mentioned providing financial assistance to sick villagers and other community needs. Chimaev addressed criticism about his inactivity, stating he doesn't care what people say as he earns millions from UFC and even more outside the octagon through sponsorships and business ventures. He expressed gratitude for his UFC earnings and described himself as living his dream.
Khamzat Chimaev has revealed he personally funded the construction of a wrestling facility in his home village in Chechnya, spending between $600,000 and $700,000 to give local children access to the sport that launched his career.
Speaking on the "Beyond The Win" channel, Chimaev said the investment reflects a broader philosophy — that money exists to create opportunities for others, not just for himself. He described providing financial support to sick villagers and contributing to other community needs, framing his UFC earnings as a means to give back rather than simply accumulate wealth. Chimaev also pushed back against criticism over his recent inactivity inside the octagon, saying he is indifferent to public opinion and noting that his income extends well beyond fight purses, with sponsorship deals and business ventures generating significant revenue alongside his UFC contracts.
Chimaev, 32, competes at middleweight and carries a record of 15 wins and 1 loss, placing him first in the divisional rankings and tenth 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. His numbers inside the cage are among the most dominant in the sport — he lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 60 percent, while averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. His blend of physical pressure and wrestling-based control has made him one of the most feared fighters in the 185-pound division.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's philanthropy reinforces his public identity as a fighter motivated by something larger than personal gain
- His comments on inactivity add context to what has been a prolonged stretch without a confirmed bout, signaling he feels no financial pressure to rush back
- With a ranking of first in the middleweight division and a top-ten pound-for-pound position, any return will carry significant title implications
