Khamzat Chimaev’s recent claim about his earnings has stirred up controversy among mixed martial arts fans. The 30-year-old from the Caucasus region, who has become a prominent figure in the middleweight division, stated during a media interaction that he makes more money than many champions in the UFC.
Chimaev, who is scheduled to face former title holder Robert Whittaker in a potential title eliminator bout at UFC 308 on October 26, made the bold statement while discussing his career trajectory. When asked about his chances for a title shot following a potential victory over Whittaker, Chimaev expressed some uncertainty but added, “I’m happy with the money. I’m making more money than many champions, so…”
This comment quickly gained traction on social media platforms, eliciting a range of reactions from fans. Some were impressed by Chimaev’s apparent financial success, with one user commenting, “Dang this dude signed a sick deal with UFC.. didn’t know that.” Others questioned the appropriateness of discussing pay, with another fan asking, “Why do fighters flexing on their pay?”
However, not all responses were positive. Some fans brought up a controversial incident from Chimaev’s past involving his endorsement of a cryptocurrency called SMASH. The digital currency reportedly lost significant value shortly after Chimaev’s promotion, leading to criticism of the fighter for endorsing a product without proper due diligence.
Khamzat Chimaev recently faced backlash after endorsing a cryptocurrency called “Smash,” which plummeted in value by over 90% shortly after his promotion, leading to accusations of a pump-and-dump scheme. Despite his manager’s claim of ignorance, skeptics doubt Chimaev’s innocence given his deep involvement in the crypto world, including prior endorsements like “Gcoin” and the “Block Asset” NFT project.
The scandal forced a shakeup in his team and training approach, including firing key members and relocating to a high-altitude camp in Russia to prepare for his upcoming bout against Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.
Despite the mixed reactions to his financial claims, Chimaev remains focused on his upcoming bout with Whittaker. When asked about his strategy for the fight, Chimaev gave a characteristically confident response: “I don’t know. We’ll see. He knows how to lose, we don’t know. So I’m ready for victory.”
As the October 26 event approaches, betting odds currently favor Chimaev at -280, with Whittaker as the underdog at +200. The outcome of this highly anticipated matchup could significantly impact the landscape of the UFC’s middleweight division and potentially set the stage for a future title bout.
