Khamzat Chimaev has found himself embroiled in controversy after promoting a cryptocurrency called “Smash” that turned out to be an apparent pump-and-dump scheme. However, this isn’t Chimaev’s first foray into the crypto world.
The “Smash” token, which borrowed Chimaev’s catchphrase, saw its price crash by over 90% shortly after the fighter promoted it on social media. Blockchain analyst Zack XBT revealed evidence suggesting a coordinated effort to artificially inflate the token’s value before selling off large amounts.
Chimaev’s manager claimed they were approached by fans and were unaware of any wrongdoing. However, skeptics argue it’s unlikely they wouldn’t have demanded a significant stake in a project deriving its entire value from Chimaev’s brand.
This incident could have serious repercussions for Chimaev’s other crypto ventures. He was previously the sole ambassador for “Gcoin,” a project marketing itself as an Islamic-compliant cryptocurrency. Following the “Smash” scandal, Gcoin has removed Chimaev from their website and delayed their planned exchange listing.
Chimaev is also involved with “Block Asset,” an NFT project with fellow fighter Darren Till. These existing crypto partnerships make it harder to believe Chimaev and his team were completely naive about potential scams in the space.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Chimaev. Already facing criticism for frequent fight withdrawals and callouts from the sidelines, this crypto controversy further tarnishes his image.
Chimaev is currently preparing to face Robert Whittaker in the Mountains of Russia. He is alleged to have sacked his team for overtraining him and causing him health issues. Among with Allstars Andreas, his manager Majdi Shammas also appears to have gotten the axe as a result of the crypto backlash.
Khamzat Chimaev has revamped his training camp for his upcoming fight against Robert Whittaker, opting for a high-altitude location in Russia at 1850 meters to enhance his endurance. He has reconnected with key figures from his past, including Joakim Karlsson, the head coach of the Swedish Muay Thai national team, and Salim Nuzalhanov, a renowned wrestling coach who trained Olympic champion Buvaisar Saitiev. After distractions during his time in the UAE, including involvement with cryptocurrency and unhelpful visitors, this new camp in Prielbrusye appears more focused and professional, boosting his chances against Whittaker (information from Vladislav Matveev channel on Telegram ).
Chimaev vs Whittaker is booked for UFC 308 on October 26th in Abu Dhabi.
UFC middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev humorously suggested that his ability to fight in the U.S. may depend on the outcome of the upcoming presidential election. Speaking on Adam Zubayraev’s vlog, Chimaev implied that visa issues have hindered his career progression, preventing him from competing on American soil. He referenced past title eliminator fights where promised title shots never materialized, citing frustration over missed opportunities. Despite these obstacles, Chimaev remains focused on his upcoming fight against Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, following a year-long hiatus and revamped training regimen.
