Khamzat Chimaev has identified his combat sports heroes, stating that no current MMA fighter, including himself, has reached their level. The UFC contender specifically named Jon Jones, Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, and freestyle wrestler Buvaisar Saitiev as his idols. Chimaev emphasized that modern fighters are still very far from achieving what these legends accomplished in their respective sports. He suggested that it would take something truly special for anyone to approach their level of greatness. The statement reflects Chimaev's respect for the historical greats of combat sports across multiple disciplines.
Khamzat Chimaev has opened up about the combat sports figures he holds in the highest regard, naming Jon Jones, Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, and freestyle wrestling legend Buvaisar Saitiev as his personal idols — while making clear that no active MMA fighter, including himself, has come close to matching their legacies.
Chimaev, 30 — fighting out of the United Arab Emirates and training at Allstars Training Center — currently sits at number one in the UFC middleweight rankings and tenth on the pound-for-pound list. The 32-year-old carries a 15-1-0 professional record and has built a reputation as one of the sport's most complete threats, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a 60 percent striking accuracy and 4.04 significant strikes landed per minute.
Jones, one of the names Chimaev cited, holds a 28-1-0 record and is widely regarded as among the greatest to ever compete in mixed martial arts. The 38-year-old orthodox fighter stands six-foot-four with an 84-inch reach and has posted 4.38 significant strikes landed per minute across his career at a 58 percent accuracy rate — numbers that reflect the kind of sustained excellence Chimaev was referencing.
In the interview, Chimaev was emphatic that modern fighters remain far from the standard set by his four named icons, suggesting it would take something truly extraordinary for anyone in the current era to approach that tier of greatness. The comments span disciplines — Jones representing MMA, Tyson and Ali boxing, and Saitiev the world of freestyle wrestling — which speaks to how broadly Chimaev defines combat sports greatness.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's acknowledgment of Jones is notable given both men have competed at light heavyweight and shared the same promotion
- His respect for Saitiev underlines how seriously he values his wrestling foundation, reflected in his elite 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes
- The statement positions Chimaev as a student of the sport's history rather than simply a product of its present
