Khamzat Chimaev built $700,000 gym in his home village

Khamzat Chimaev has revealed that he invested $700,000 to build a training gym in his native village, demonstrating a personal commitment to developing martial arts infrastructure at the grassroots level. The facility is intended to give local fighters and youth access to proper training resources, providing opportunities that Chimaev himself may not have had growing up.

Chimaev, known by his nickname "Borz," is currently one of the most dominant forces in the UFC's middleweight division. The 30-year-old holds a professional record of 15 wins and 1 loss, ranks first in the middleweight division, and sits at number ten in the pound-for-pound rankings. Fighting out of the UAE and training at Allstars Training Center, the six-foot-two orthodox fighter has built his reputation on a punishing combination of striking and grappling. He lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at an elite 60 percent accuracy rate, while also averaging an imposing 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes — numbers that reflect a genuinely well-rounded and aggressive fighting style.

Why it matters

• Chimaev is directing significant personal wealth toward community development rather than high-profile personal expenditure
• The gym could serve as a pipeline for future fighters from his home region, potentially expanding the sport's reach into underserved areas
• The investment highlights a growing trend of top-level UFC athletes using their platform and earnings to build martial arts infrastructure in their home communities
• At 32 years old and ranked number one at middleweight, Chimaev's profile gives the project considerable visibility within the sport