Khamzat Chimaev is at the center of controversy after an Israeli fighter accused him of sending threatening messages just days before Chimaev’s victory over Dricus du Plessis at <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/mma/ufc/”>UFC 319. The exchange of heated texts surfaced publicly via screenshots, revealing intense tension between the UFC middleweight champion and the Israeli fighter.
The screenshots were shared by retired Israeli mixed martial artist Haim Gozali, a former Bellator competitor, who had previously posted an image showing IDF missiles marked with the names of Chimaev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, and Belal Muhammad. The post, which appeared to mock their stances regarding Palestine, resulted in Gozali’s suspension from the social media platform X. Following this, Gozali claims he received personal threats from Chimaev through Instagram messages.
In the latest exchange, Chimaev accused Gozali of seeking attention and warned of severe consequences should they encounter each other. The message sent by Chimaev read,
“You can only fight with children. I swear to god you would be dead if we met one on one. You know that I understand that you want to be famous, but god humiliated you soon.” —Khamzat Chimaev
In response, Gozali dismissed the threats with emojis and issued a challenge for a bare-knuckle or grappling confrontation. This ongoing dispute highlights rising tensions within MMA circles amid broader geopolitical conflicts.
Khamzat Chimaev Calls for Peace Amid Global Conflict After UFC 294 Win
Just weeks after these threats, Khamzat Chimaev took a different tone following his UFC 294 victory over Kamaru Usman in Abu Dhabi. The Chechen-born fighter earned a majority decision win after dominating the early rounds, and he used the post-fight interview to speak on the impact of global conflicts, particularly the Israel-Palestine situation.
Chimaev expressed his distress over the suffering of children across various war-torn regions, emphasizing the need for unity beyond cultural and religious divides. In his octagon interview, he stated,
“Guys, you know what’s happening in the world right now. I wasn’t happy in the cage, to fight this week. I see the kids dying. It doesn’t matter where in the world, Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, Palestine, USA, doesn’t matter. when kids die, it’s hard, guys… Inshallah, we’ll be good in the world. I hope so. Muslim, Christian, Jewish, doesn’t matter. Let us live in this world good and let us be happy.” —Khamzat Chimaev
This plea for peace is striking given the recent exchange of hostile messages, underscoring the complex emotions experienced by athletes who are also connected to real-world conflicts.
Implications of the Khamzat Chimaev Threat Controversy on MMA
The dispute involving Khamzat Chimaev and Haim Gozali has brought attention to how personal and political tensions can spill into the MMA world, creating an atmosphere of animosity beyond competition. Chimaev’s simultaneous calls for peace and engagement in threatening dialogue reveal the challenges fighters face when global conflicts intersect with sports careers.
This controversy may increase scrutiny on athletes’ conduct outside the cage and prompt organizations like the UFC to consider how fighters’ social media conflicts impact their public image and the sport’s reputation. Fans and officials will likely watch closely to see if the situation escalates or moves toward resolution in the weeks ahead.