Khamzat Chimaev revealed he spent between $600,000 and $700,000 constructing a wrestling facility for children in his home village in Chechnya. Chimaev stated he doesn't fight solely for himself and that money provides opportunities to help people. He explained that he assists villagers with various needs, including medical expenses when people call him. Addressing criticism about his inactivity, Chimaev said he doesn't care about the comments as he earns millions from UFC and even more outside of fighting through sponsorships and business opportunities. He emphasized his gratitude for his UFC earnings and expressed that he is living his dream.
Khamzat Chimaev has revealed he invested between $600,000 and $700,000 of his own money to construct a wrestling facility for children in his home village in Chechnya, offering a rare look into how the welterweight and middleweight contender spends his earnings outside the cage.
Chimaev, who competes out of the United Arab Emirates and trains at Allstars Training Center, made clear that his motivations extend well beyond personal gain. He stated that money exists to create opportunities for others, and that he regularly helps villagers cover medical and other everyday expenses when they reach out to him. The gym project represents the most significant example of that philosophy made concrete.
The 32-year-old also addressed critics who have questioned his recent inactivity, dismissing the commentary with characteristic bluntness. He noted that his UFC purses run into the millions and that additional income from sponsorships and business ventures pushes his earnings even higher, leaving him unbothered by outside opinion. He described his current circumstances as the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
Why it matters
- Chimaev holds the number-one middleweight ranking and sits tenth in the pound-for-pound standings, making his timeline back to competition a matter of genuine divisional consequence.
- His 15-1 record, a striking accuracy of 60 percent, and 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes make him one of the most complete fighters in either the welterweight or middleweight division.
- The comments suggest Chimaev is financially comfortable enough to operate on his own schedule, which may factor into when and how his next fight is negotiated.
- The gym investment reinforces a public identity built around community ties to Chechnya, which remains central to his personal brand despite his base in the UAE.
