Khamzat Chimaev is known for his intensity in the octagon. He recently found himself at the center of a controversy following a sparring footage clip going viral.
Chimaev, 29, is renowned for his relentless style and exceptional abilities.
Last month, Chimaev secured a decisive majority win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294. He stands out as one of the UFC’s rising stars, having absorbed only a single significant strike in his first four bouts within the promotion.
Beyond his octagon achievements, Khamzat Chimaev is often associated with Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov. The two are frequently seen together on Chimaev’s social media, with ‘Borz’ even serving as the MMA coach for Kadyrov’s sons. Notably, Chimaev accompanied Kadyrov’s son, Ali, to Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand, for training.
A recent sparring video featured Chimaev and Ali. In this video, the UFC star took a right-hand hook from Kadyrov Jr., resulting in a knockdown.
This same kid had his MMA debut sometime last year and looked very overwhelmed.
Reactions to this incident were swift, with fans expressing a variety of opinions. Some speculated that Chimaev took a dive, while others highlighted the context of the sparring partner being the son of a dictator.
It’s worth noting that Khamzat Chimaev had faced a significant challenge himself during his last outing at UFC 294. He reportedly sustained an injury to his hand during the bout against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Initially thought to be a broken hand, it was later clarified as a torn ligament by Chimaev’s manager, Majdi Shammas. The star will wear a brace for the next four weeks before determining if surgery is needed.