Khamzat Chimaev discussed his idols in combat sports during a recent interview. He stated that no MMA fighter, including himself, has reached the level of legends like Jon Jones, Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, and Olympic wrestling champion Buvaisar Saitiev. Chimaev emphasized that fighters today remain far from matching their achievements. He believes something truly extraordinary must be accomplished to approach the greatness of these icons. The post received positive reactions from fans praising his choice of role models.
In a recent interview, Khamzat Chimaev opened up about the combat sports figures who shaped his outlook, naming Jon Jones, Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, and Olympic wrestling legend Buvaisar Saitiev as athletes whose greatness modern fighters — including himself — have yet to approach.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," carries a 15-1-0 record and currently sits as the number-one ranked middleweight in the UFC, with a top-ten pound-for-pound position to his name. The 30-year-old competing out of the United Arab Emirates and training at Allstars Training Center is one of the more well-rounded talents in the sport, averaging 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate while also threatening at a remarkable 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. He emphasized in the interview that something truly extraordinary must be accomplished before any fighter today can be mentioned alongside icons of that stature.
Jones, one of the names Chimaev singled out, holds a 28-1-0 record across a career that has spanned two divisions. The 38-year-old stands six-foot-four with an 84-inch reach and has long been considered a defining figure in MMA history, averaging 4.38 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy alongside consistent wrestling output.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's remarks signal a rare public humility from one of the sport's most aggressive competitors
- Referencing Saitiev alongside Jones, Tyson, and Ali highlights the depth of Chimaev's wrestling background and influences
- The comments landed positively with fans and add a cultural dimension to how Chimaev views his own legacy and ambitions
