Khamzat Chimaev was born on May 1, 1994, in Chechnya, Russia. From just five years old, he showed a strong passion for combat sports, starting with wrestling. His dedication led him to earn a bronze medal at the Russian national junior championships, laying the foundation for his future in combat sports. These formative years fostered a lasting enthusiasm for physical competition and fighting.

In 2011, at the age of 17, Chimaev relocated from Russia to Sweden, a move that shaped his athletic and personal journey. He continued wrestling competitively, joining BK Athen and refining his skills. By 2018, he had achieved great success at the Swedish national championships, winning gold in the 202-pound freestyle category. His dominance was clear as he secured his first three victories by technical knockout, all with perfect 10-0 scores. Alongside wrestling, he also gained experience in judo and sambo, expanding his fighting abilities.

Transition into Mixed Martial Arts

At 23 years old, Chimaev shifted his focus to mixed martial arts, training at Stockholm’s Allstar Training Center where he worked with notable fighters such as Alexander Gustafsson, Ilir Latifi, and Reza Madadi. Gustafsson praised Chimaev’s exceptional talent, calling him one of the most gifted fighters he had ever trained.

Chimaev’s professional MMA debut came on May 26, 2018, when he defeated Gard Olve Sagen by technical knockout. Soon after, he signed with Brave Combat Federation, making his first appearance at Brave CF 18 where he scored a notable win over Marco Kisic by a powerful left-hand strike, handing Kisic his first professional loss.

Breakthrough and Challenges in the UFC

By 2020, Chimaev secured a contract with the UFC, debuting in the middleweight division against John Phillips. He defeated Phillips via second-round submission, earning the Performance of the Night bonus. This fight marked the beginning of his rise as one of the UFC’s most talked-about fighters.

However, in March 2021, Chimaev stunned fans when he announced his retirement on social media. His decision followed a severe bout with COVID-19 that left him struggling to breathe and even coughing up blood. Initially fearing the worst, including a possible cancer diagnosis, he later confirmed his health had recovered and rescinded his retirement.

With renewed strength and determination, Chimaev returned to competition, demonstrating that his early years of rigorous training and unyielding drive remained intact.

Financial Success and UFC Earnings of Khamzat Chimaev

The growing global popularity of mixed martial arts has created lucrative opportunities, and Khamzat Chimaev has capitalized on this rise. Since the beginning of his professional career, he has amassed an estimated net worth of $4 million. His fight purses have steadily increased, with earnings reported between $80,000 and $200,000 per bout. These figures underscore his rapid ascent as a financially successful and highly promising star within the UFC.