Khamzat Chimaev discusses spending $700,000 to build gym in hometown

Khamzat Chimaev has revealed he spent $700,000 to build a training facility in his native village, sharing details of the investment during recent media coverage as part of his ongoing commitment to developing fighters from his home region.

Chimaev, known as "Borz," carries a 15-1-0 record and currently sits ranked first in the UFC middleweight division, with a spot at number ten on the pound-for-pound list. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates and trains out of Allstars Training Center, has established himself as one of the most dominant forces in the sport. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he combines elite grappling with sharp striking, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing significant strikes at a 60 percent accuracy rate — among the highest marks in his division.

The facility project underscores a desire to give back to the community that shaped him and to provide the next generation of fighters from his region with a legitimate base to develop their skills. Chimaev has been vocal in recent media appearances about the importance of that mission, though specific details regarding the gym's exact location and its features remain limited at this stage.

Why it matters

• Chimaev is the top-ranked middleweight contender and a pound-for-pound top-ten fighter, meaning his public profile gives this initiative significant visibility
• Investing in grassroots infrastructure could accelerate the growth of MMA in his home region
• The project reflects a broader trend of elite fighters reinvesting in their communities, raising the sport's global footprint outside traditional markets