Khamzat Chimaev's first amateur fight from 2017 resurfaces

Fan-shared footage has brought renewed attention to Khamzat Chimaev's very first MMA appearance, an amateur bout from September 2017 contested in Sweden under the Fight Club Rush banner, an organization that continues to operate and stream events on UFC Fight Pass.

Chimaev, now ranked first in the UFC middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound in the world, was in the early stages of building what would become one of the sport's more remarkable resumes. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates and trains out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, carries a professional record of 15-1-0. Known as "Borz," he has built his reputation on suffocating grappling and high-volume striking, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing significant strikes at a 60 percent accuracy rate across his career.

In the resurfaced amateur contest, Chimaev finished his opponent, Khaled Laalaam, by submission in the second round. It was the first of three amateur victories he would collect before making his professional debut the following year in 2018. Laalaam, meanwhile, has not faded into obscurity. He currently holds a 7-1 professional record and competes in UAE Warriors, suggesting the early amateur loss did little to deter his own career path.

Why it matters

• The footage offers a rare glimpse at Chimaev before his rapid ascent through regional circuits and into the UFC
• Fight Club Rush's continued presence on Fight Pass means the bout may be accessible to fans seeking the full context of his amateur run
• Laalaam's active professional career at 7-1 adds an interesting footnote, as both fighters from that 2017 matchup went on to compete at credible levels