Khamzat Chimaev commented on Ronda Rousey's recent criticism of the UFC, calling her ungrateful. Chimaev stated that there would be no Ronda Rousey without the UFC and questioned how much she was earning when she was just an Olympic champion. Additionally, Chimaev published another sparring clip showing him working with Brendan Allen. Michael Morales posted a photo with Hunter Campbell indicating papers are ready for his next fight. Jan Blachowicz successfully underwent knee surgery.
Khamzat Chimaev has fired back at Ronda Rousey following her recent public criticism of the UFC, dismissing her complaints and arguing she owes her global fame to the organization.
Chimaev, 32, is currently ranked first in the UFC middleweight division and sits tenth on the pound-for-pound list. The UAE-based fighter carries a 15-1 record and is one of the most dominant forces in the sport, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing significant strikes at a 60 percent accuracy rate. In his remarks, Chimaev suggested the UFC created the platform that made Rousey a household name, questioning what her earning power looked like when she was solely known as an Olympic champion.
Rousey, 39, finished her UFC career at 12-2 and was a pioneering figure in the promotion's women's divisions. She stands five-foot-seven with a 66-inch reach and built her early reputation on a suffocating grappling game, averaging 4.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes during her time in the cage.
Separately, Chimaev published a sparring clip showing him working alongside middleweight contender Brendan Allen. Allen, 30, holds a 26-7 record and is ranked fifth in the division. The American fights out of Kill Cliff FC, stands six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, and posts solid striking numbers of his own, landing at 53 percent accuracy with 3.59 significant strikes per minute.
In other news from the same cycle, welterweight prospect Michael Morales shared a photo alongside UFC executive Hunter Campbell, indicating paperwork for his next fight is in order. Light heavyweight Jan Blachowicz confirmed he came through knee surgery successfully.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's public comments keep him visible while the middleweight title picture continues to develop
- His sparring footage with fifth-ranked Allen adds intrigue to the division's contender landscape
- Blachowicz's surgery clearance reopens his path back to competition at light heavyweight
