UFC 279 will forever be remembered as the card where 3 main events were reshuffled in a historic last day scramble. This is all due to Khamzat Chimaev missing weight by staggering 7.5 lbs.
Chimaev was also a sore sport about it, giving the media ‘the finger’ afterwards. This type of behavior is something that Hall of famer Khabib Nurmagomedov frowns upon.
“When you become famous and rich, when you gain power and [around you] 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,” he added
Team Chimaev was very stricken by the criticism and subsequently Chimaev and Till replied to criticism from Khabib.
“Khabib’s missed weight like five times, man. Like, he’s got good people around him. We are not coming out now saying — What because me and Khamzat have a bit of fun on camera, being a bit wild; does that mean that I’m not good peoples or his coaches aren’t good peoples.”
Till reacted to Nurmagomedov’s comments.
He further stated,
“Like, his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach is one of the best grapplers of all time. He’s not Muslim. Does that mean he’s bad people. As much as I do respect Khabib as a person… I just don’t respect him coming out with comments like that. And other people as well.”
Meanwhile Chimaev explained:
“I ate too much tiramisu, that’s why my fight with Tony Ferguson been cancelled five times 🤭😂😂😂😂” Chimaev commented
Now a third voice from their camp shared his opinion – Iranian born Swede Reza Madadi penned an open letter to Nurmagomedov.
“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.