Khamzat Chimaev

Who Is Khamzat Chimaev?

Khamzat Khizarovich Chimaev is one of the most feared and electrifying fighters in the history of mixed martial arts. He is ruthless. He is relentless. He is “Borz” — the Wolf.

Born on May 1, 1994, in the village of Gvardeyskoye, Chechnya, Russia, Chimaev experienced a challenging childhood that would shape his character and fighting spirit. From working at a poultry factory in Sweden to becoming a UFC middleweight champion, his journey exemplifies the transformative power of dedication and natural talent in mixed martial arts.

Chimaev spectacularly captured the UFC Middleweight title at UFC 319 in August 2025. However, he lost the middleweight title to Sean Strickland by split decision at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, in Newark, New Jersey. His professional MMA record now stands at 15 wins and 1 loss.

He remains, without question, one of the most dominant and compelling figures the sport has ever produced.

Early Life: Born Into War, Shaped by Adversity

Childhood in Chechnya

Khamzat Chimaev was born on May 1, 1994, in the village of Gvardeyskoye, Chechen Republic, Russia, into a conservative Muslim Chechen family.

He began wrestling at the age of five in his hometown. During his youth, he competed in regional wrestling competitions and reportedly earned medals at junior national level events in Russia.

Life in Chechnya was not easy. He was born in the midst of the First Chechen War and then grew up during the Second Chechen War. These were difficult times for Khamzat and the Chechen people — a life constantly surrounded by threats of death and tragedy. Guerrilla warfare, suicide attacks, terrorism, and assassinations were prevalent throughout Chechnya.

Chimaev carries a facial scar from a childhood accident at age two. The scar on his lip serves as a permanent reminder of his tough upbringing in war-torn Chechnya.

Escape to Sweden (2013)

Many Chechens — including Khamzat and his family — knew this life was not safe. They sought refuge in another part of the world. Ultimately, the Chimaev family chose Sweden.

At the age of eighteen, Khamzat joined his mother and brother and officially moved to Kalmar, Sweden. Once he had settled down, he decided to start wrestling again.

His older brother Artur, who does freestyle wrestling, had already settled in Sweden. Khamzat immigrated with his mother to join him.

The Man Who Arrived With No Plan

By his own account, he was not arriving with a clear UFC plan. He was trying to learn Swedish and had no real sense yet of where MMA could take him.

Instead, Khamzat Chimaev had something far more powerful than a plan. He had hunger. He had grit. He had the wolf in him.

Working to Survive: Poultry Factory and Security Work

Life in Sweden was far from glamorous at first. Growing up in Sweden, Chimaev worked various jobs to support his family, including time at a poultry factory and as a security guard.

These early struggles built the mental toughness that would later define his cage presence. Every hard shift made him harder.

Father’s Influence

Chimaev’s father, Khizar, played a significant role in his upbringing, encouraging his son’s involvement in sports. ESPN reported that Chimaev is building homes near his native village in Chechnya, and that his father still lives in his childhood home. Chimaev is also developing an MMA gym there, intended to create opportunities for local young people.

Wrestling Career: Three-Time Swedish National Champion

A Natural From Age Five

Chimaev’s journey in combat sports began at the young age of five, with wrestling. He achieved the honour of winning a bronze medal at the Russian National Championships during his junior years.

In 2013, at the age of 18, he moved to Sweden with his mother, where he trained at several wrestling clubs including BK Athén. He quickly became one of the top freestyle wrestlers in the country.

Multiple profiles identify him as a three-time Swedish national champion in freestyle wrestling.

Move to Allstar Training Center (2017)

At 23, he started on his path as a professional wrestler, training at the Allstar Training Center in Stockholm. This decision changed everything. The Allstars Training Center is one of Europe’s most elite MMA gyms — a forge for champions.

In June 2019, Alexander Gustafsson told a Swedish reporter that Khamzat Chimaev was one of the best fighters he had ever trained with. High praise from a UFC light heavyweight legend.

MMA Career: The Rise of “Borz”

Amateur and Early Pro Fights (2017–2019)

In September 2017, Chimaev entered the world of amateur MMA fights, paving the way for his professional debut in May 2018. He was sharp. He was explosive. He finished opponents. After six professional bouts outside the UFC, all resulting in victories, Chimaev was ready for the world’s biggest stage.

UFC Debut: Fight Island Phenomenon (2020)

Chimaev’s UFC run began with instant momentum. He submitted John Phillips in his debut on July 15, 2020, stopped Rhys McKee 10 days later, and then knocked out Gerald Meerschaert in just 17 seconds in September 2020.

His first three UFC fights in 2020 all earned him Performance of the Night awards. They also broke the record for the quickest three-fight winning streak in 66 days.

These results were stunning. Khamzat Chimaev benefited massively from this period, as he made his debut on Fight Island and proved himself to be a top contender in the UFC. He was impossible to ignore.

COVID-19 Setback and Near-Retirement (2020–2021)

Then came the darkest chapter of his career. In December 2020, Khamzat Chimaev contracted COVID-19 and suffered lingering symptoms that required multiple hospitalizations and the cancellation of a scheduled fight against Leon Edwards.

On March 1, 2021, Khamzat Chimaev announced his retirement from MMA on Instagram due to lung complications caused by COVID-19. But Dana White later clarified that he was not retired and was just emotional due to the effects of prednisone.

The Wolf refused to stay down. He fought back. He returned.

Li Jingliang Submission and Gilbert Burns War (2021–2022)

He submitted Li Jingliang in 2021, then beat Gilbert Burns by unanimous decision in April 2022 in the kind of harder, longer fight that tested his composure.

In one of the most entertaining fights of 2023, Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns fought a three-round war at UFC 273. In round two, Burns even momentarily dropped Chimaev — the first time he had been dropped during his UFC tenure.

However, Chimaev dug deep. He survived. He won. It proved he had more than just physical dominance — he had heart.

The UFC 279 Weight Miss Controversy (2022)

At UFC 279 on September 10, 2022, Nate Diaz was scheduled to make his final walk to the UFC cage, where he was rewarded a fight against the undefeated Chimaev. However, at the official weigh-ins, “Borz” weighed in 7.5 lbs heavier than the 171 lb limit, forcing his scheduled main event against Diaz to be canceled.

Because of the huge weight miss, the UFC matched up Diaz with Tony Ferguson, and Chimaev fought in a catchweight bout against Kevin Holland. He won by submission. Nevertheless, the episode sparked serious debate about his discipline and weight management.

Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 (2023)

Chimaev moved up to Middleweight for a majority decision over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 294. Beating a former welterweight world champion at middleweight sent a powerful message to the entire division.

Robert Whittaker Submission — UFC 308 (October 2024)

In October 2024, Chimaev submitted former Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.

Before that fight, Chimaev revealed something deeply personal. In late 2024, he publicly discussed his son’s medical struggles, including kidney issues and surgeries, before his fight with Robert Whittaker. The world saw a different side of “Borz” — a father fighting not just for glory, but for family.

UFC Middleweight Championship — UFC 319 (August 16, 2025)

This was the moment that defined everything.

South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis defended his UFC middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev at the United Center in Chicago at UFC 319 on August 16, 2025. Chimaev, the No. 3-ranked contender, placed his 14-0 undefeated record on the line.

Khamzat Chimaev is the new undisputed UFC middleweight champion after a dominant display against title holder Dricus du Plessis at the United Center in Chicago. Billed as a battle between the undefeated UFC middleweights, Chimaev controlled much of the five-round championship contest.

Chimaev managed 12 successful takedowns against du Plessis, with 21 minutes and 40 seconds of control time. It was a masterclass in wrestling and grappling dominance.

As of August 19, 2025, he was ranked #4 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings, cementing his status as one of the elite MMA fighters in the world.

Title Loss to Sean Strickland — UFC 328 (May 9, 2026)

In a shocking upset, Sean Strickland became the first man to defeat Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328, dethroning the feared Chechen with a split decision victory inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

An enraged Chimaev stormed out of the cage following the official decision — his dominant UFC run, which kicked off with 10 consecutive wins, now at an end.

Despite entering the fight as more than a 4-to-1 underdog on many sportsbooks, Strickland used a savvy striking attack and impressive defensive wrestling to stymie Chimaev’s grappling.

Post-fight, Chimaev cited weight-cut issues. Dricus du Plessis responded critically: “It wasn’t even that much weight. That’s discipline — that’s on you. There’s no excuse when you step in there.”

With Chimaev potentially moving up to the light heavyweight division, the middleweight championship landscape has been dramatically reshaped.

Complete Professional MMA Record

#	Opponent	Result	Method	Event	Date
1	Debut opponent	Win	—	Pre-UFC	2018
2–6	Various	Win (x5)	—	Pre-UFC	2018–2020
7	John Phillips	Win	Submission (Brabo choke)	UFC Fight Night	Jul 15, 2020
8	Rhys McKee	Win	TKO	UFC Fight Night	Jul 25, 2020
9	Gerald Meerschaert	Win	KO (17 sec)	UFC Fight Night	Sep 19, 2020
10	Li Jingliang	Win	Submission	UFC 267	Oct 30, 2021
11	Gilbert Burns	Win	Unanimous Decision	UFC 273	Apr 9, 2022
12	Kevin Holland	Win	Submission	UFC 279	Sep 10, 2022
13	Kamaru Usman	Win	Majority Decision	UFC 294	Oct 21, 2023
14	Robert Whittaker	Win	Submission	UFC 308	Oct 2024
15	Dricus du Plessis	Win (Title)	Unanimous Decision	UFC 319	Aug 16, 2025
16	Sean Strickland	Loss (Title)	Split Decision	UFC 328	May 9, 2026

Professional Record: 15 Wins — 1 Loss — 0 Draws

Nationality and Identity: The Flag He Chose

Chimaev is a Chechen-born Russian fighter who now represents the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While he represented Sweden in MMA, he was never a Swedish citizen.

In October 2023, Chimaev voluntarily left Sweden and made the UAE his new residence. Many speculate that Chimaev switched his nationality due to the Quran desecrations that took place in Sweden in 2023.

Chimaev currently resides in the UAE. He was born in Chechnya, Russia, and moved to Sweden when he turned 19. His identity spans three nations. However, his Chechen Muslim roots remain the core of who he is.

Personal Life: Family, Faith, and Home

Marriage and Son

He married in May 2022 in Chechnya. In 2024, Chimaev revealed he has a son after opening up about the child’s health battles, including surgeries for a kidney condition.

On May 21, 2022, Khamzat Chimaev got married in Chechnya and the wedding was attended by Kadyrov. He keeps the identities of his wife and family strictly private.

Building a Legacy Back Home

Chimaev is building homes close together near his native village in Chechnya, with his father still living in the childhood home. He is also developing an MMA gym intended to create opportunities for local young people.

His vision extends far beyond the octagon. He wants to give the next generation of Chechen athletes the platform he had to fight so hard to find.

Health and Caution After COVID

Because of lingering health concerns, he limits contact outside camp and tries to avoid crowded public settings. As Chimaev put it, “I have to be careful” because getting sick again could compromise a fight.

Cars and Lifestyle

Khamzat Chimaev owns a collection of luxurious and high-end vehicles. Among his notable cars is a black Mercedes G-Wagon. Additionally, he owns a BMW alongside the high-end Mercedes SUV.

Physical Profile and Fighting Style

“Borz” stands at 6’2″ and has a 75″ reach.

Chimaev has been compared to “The Eagle” Khabib Nurmagomedov because of his domination inside the octagon. Like Nurmagomedov, he largely relies on his wrestling and grappling background. He prefers wrestling over other fighting styles, although he has displayed remarkable striking expertise.

Chimaev has an orthodox stance and has won fights by knockout, submission, and decision. He is a complete fighter — dangerous everywhere, dominant on the ground, and capable of a KO at any moment.