Khamzat Chimaev: A Biography of the Rising MMA Star

Khamzat Khizarovich Chimaev, born May 1, 1994, fights in the UFC. He has made a name for himself in a shorter time. People call him Borz which means wolf. He’s got crazy strength, serious speed, and wrestling skills that just overwhelm his opponents.

Early Life of Khamzat Chimaev

Chimaev grew up in Chechnya, Russia. At a very young age, he started developing an interest in wrestling. When he turned 19, he and his family moved to Sweden. There, he wrestled at local clubs, but he also had to work regular jobs. He did various odd jobs from poultry factory to security staff. In the end, he pushed through and became a full-time athlete.

Beginning of His Career

He got into MMA around age 23. He did his training at the Allstar Training Center in Stockholm, surrounded by some well-known fighters. Before going pro, he racked up three wins as an amateur, all of them dominant. Then, in May 2018, he made his pro debut and won by technical knockout.

Rise in UFC

When he joined the UFC, he really took off. He racked up 15 straight wins, no losses. Every fight, he’d drag guys to the ground, control them, and either pound them out or force a submission. His wrestling is relentless.

The biggest moment? In 2025, he beat Dricus du Plessis to win the UFC Middleweight Championship. That fight made him the champ, and it felt like he’d arrived for good. ((Al Jazeera))

If you break down his style, wrestling is his bread and butter. He gets people down and keeps them there, using ground and pound basically, raining down punches while he’s on top. If you somehow survive that, he can just as easily choke you out or twist you into a submission. That’s what makes him so tough to beat.

Personal Life

Khamzat has an older brother named Artur. He has a scar on his lip from an injury he got when he fell as a child. After spending many years in Sweden, he later moved to live in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) while continuing his fighting career.

He is known for having strong discipline, working extremely hard in training, and staying dedicated to improving himself.

Challenges and Hard Times

Even though he is a successful fighter, Khamzat has faced several challenges:

Illness: He became very sick with COVID-19 in December 2020. The illness made him weak, and he had to cancel some fights.

Travel Issues: He faced difficulties with passports and visas, which affected his travel. Moving to the UAE helped him manage these issues.

Hard Training: Reaching the top level required long hours of training, both physically and mentally.

Big Moments and Wins

Some important milestones in his career include:

• Winning all three amateur fights before becoming a professional
• Winning his professional debut in 2018
• Achieving multiple UFC victories through knockouts and submissions
• Becoming the UFC Middleweight Champion in 2025

Why People Like Him

Fans admire Khamzat because of his powerful fighting style, strong wrestling, and intense passion. His undefeated UFC record adds to his popularity.

Many people also like his life journey, growing up in Chechnya, moving to Sweden, working normal jobs, and then becoming a world-class athlete.

Style and Personality

In training, Khamzat is serious and hardworking. Outside the octagon, he is calm and respectful. He has said that he feels a fighter’s spirit inside him, something special that drives him.

Even when he defeats opponents, he often speaks positively about them, showing respect and good sportsmanship.

Legacy and Future

Due to his rapid rise and undefeated record, many believe Khamzat Chimaev could become one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. He is still young and expected to achieve more in the future. He also inspires young athletes, especially those who come from difficult backgrounds.

Quick Summary

Name: Khamzat Chimaev

Born: May 1, 1994

Nickname: Borz (means “wolf”)

Sport: MMA

Best Skill: Wrestling

Big Achievement: UFC Middleweight Champion

Record: Many wins, no losses in UFC

Khamzat Chimaev’s journey shows the power of hard work. He did not start as a champion. He moved far from home, worked regular jobs, and trained every day. Over time, he became one of the strongest fighters in the world. His wrestling-based style also makes his fights exciting and strategic.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Khamzat Chimaev?
Khamzat Chimaev is a Swedish professional mixed martial artist born in Chechnya. He fights in the UFC and is known for his aggressive style and dominant performances.

2. What weight classes does Khamzat Chimaev fight in?
He fights in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions in the UFC.

3. Why is Khamzat Chimaev so popular?
He became popular because he won multiple UFC fights in a very short period, showing powerful wrestling, striking, and confidence inside the cage.

4. What is Khamzat Chimaev’s fighting style?
Khamzat uses a mix of wrestling, grappling, and strong striking, often taking opponents down early and controlling the fight.