Ali Abdelaziz and his Dominance MMA Management have a huge stable of clients in the UFC. Among them are many former champions including Kamaru Usman, Henry Cejudo and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Another rising UFC star was initially managed by Abdelaziz – Khamzat Chimaev.
However, Chimaev did not remain with Dominance MMA for very long. Abdelaziz quickly parted ways with Chimaev after he clashed online with Khabib Nurmagomedov.
On The MMA Hour, Ariel Helwani was recently questioned about Khabib Nurmagomedov’s remarks that Khamzat Chimaev did not have the “right people around him.”
The Canadian was asked whether hostility between the two was a factor in Chimaev leaving Dominance MMA. Helwani answered:
“I do know that part of the reason why Khamzat left Dominance was ’cause him and Khabib just weren’t on the same level and there was some uncomfortableness there, but honestly, I mean you have to ask Khabib, you know, his thoughts on it. But yeah, I mean, that’s a big fish to lose and I do know that they’re not the best of friends. Why that is, I don’t know but that’s what I know.”
In light of Khamzat Chimaev’s apparent disregard for his unsuccessful attempt to lose weight ahead of his scheduled UFC 279 matchup with Nate Diaz, Khabib Nurmagomedov made the remarks. In a speech to the public, Nurmagomedov stated:
“There are no Muslims around him and this is very bad. Because if you are a Muslim, you need good, strong people around you.”
“When you become famous and rich, when you gain power and there are no people who will give advice or you do not listen to them, then something will happen. You need good people, even if you don’t like it, you need them.”
While Chimaev and Till were irked by comments making separate remarks targeting Nurmagomedov, Chimaev’s Muslim teammate Reza Medadi penned an open letter to Nurmagomedov which he acknowledged and agreed with.
“Dear Khabib Nurmagomedov, my Muslim brother ❤️🙏🏼
Firstly I would like say I have a huge respect for you as an athlete and for all your achievements in our beloved sport of MMA. I am also very proud of how you represent our religion, belief and God in all your interviews and appearances.
But, I would like to give my point on your opinion on Khamzat Chimaev not having a Muslim team around him and that was supposed to be the reason of him missing the weight. I have to disagree with you on this part.
Not only have Khamzat had Muslim friends and teammates such as me around him from day 1, but also from many other religions and backgrounds, The have been people that have been with him from the start, giving him love, sharing blood, sweat and joy and done everything to bring him to where he is now.
Being a Muslim doesn’t mean we are perfect and flawless, trust me, I have done many mistakes in my life as many people know,
With all due respect, so have you.
So mentioning having Muslim team will make you perfect, I have to disagree, having a team that cares about you. in good times and bad times, no matter what belief or religion they have is far more important. And that is something Khamzat has.
There are several issues that made Khamzat miss the weight but those reasons stay in the team. But he is still young and he will learn from his mistakes.
If a big Champion like you, did learn from your mistake when you missed weight, I have no doubt that our brother Khamzat will do as well.”
It’s interesting to note that Madadi was jailed in 2013 for 18 months over a handbag heist. Madadi competed for the UFC from 2012 until 2017.
Regardless Nurmagomedov agreed with his remarks.
