Khamzat Khizarovich Chimaev Bio
Khamzat Khizarovich Chimaev, born on May 1, 1994, is a Russian-Emirati professional mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler. He competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is the current UFC Middleweight Champion. Known for his dominant wrestling and grappling skills, Chimaev has maintained an undefeated professional MMA record and ranks among the top UFC pound-for-pound fighters.
Early Life and Background
Chimaev was born in Gvardeyskoye, Chechen Republic, Russia, into a poor and conservative Muslim Chechen family. He began wrestling at the age of five in his hometown. At 18, he emigrated to Sweden with his mother, joining his older brother. In Sweden, he wrestled at multiple clubs and became a three-time Swedish national freestyle wrestling champion, excelling in the 86 kg and 92 kg weight classes.
Before starting his professional MMA career, Chimaev worked in a poultry factory and as a security guard. He also competed in judo tournaments and combat sambo fights, showcasing his diverse combat sports background. He currently resides in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Path to MMA
Chimaev began training in mixed martial arts at age 23, joining the Allstars Training Center in Stockholm, Sweden. He trained alongside notable UFC fighters such as Alexander Gustafsson and Ilir Latifi. Inspired by watching UFC fights during work breaks, he decided to pursue MMA professionally. His amateur MMA career included three wins by knockout or submission, finishing undefeated before turning professional in 2018.
He quickly made a name for himself in regional promotions, including Brave Combat Federation, where he earned multiple finishes and awards. His rapid success in the regional circuit led to his signing with the UFC in 2020.
Khamzat Chimaev Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Chimaev made his professional MMA debut in May 2018, winning by technical knockout. He continued to dominate in Brave CF with quick finishes, including knockouts and submissions. His aggressive style and wrestling dominance earned him recognition and awards such as Knockout of the Night.
In 2020, Chimaev transitioned to the UFC, debuting with a submission win. He set records for fastest consecutive wins in modern UFC history, earning multiple Performance of the Night bonuses. His early UFC fights showcased his wrestling control, striking power, and submission skills.
UFC Breakthrough (2020–2023)
Chimaev’s UFC career rapidly advanced with dominant victories over established fighters. He earned three consecutive Performance of the Night awards in 2020, highlighting his quick finishes and versatility. Despite a setback due to COVID-19 complications in late 2020 and early 2021, he returned to competition with strong performances, including a technical submission win in 2021 and a unanimous decision victory in 2022.
His fight against Gilbert Burns in 2022 earned Fight of the Night honors, demonstrating his ability to engage in competitive, high-level bouts. Chimaev’s fighting style combines relentless wrestling pressure with effective striking, often overwhelming opponents early in fights.
Allstars Training Center Era (2017–Present)
Chimaev has trained primarily at Allstars Training Center in Stockholm, Sweden, since 2017. The gym has been instrumental in his development, providing training partners and coaches who have helped refine his skills. He has also trained with UFC fighters like Darren Till, enhancing his striking and overall fight IQ.
In 2023, Chimaev moved to Dubai and obtained Emirati citizenship in 2025, becoming the first athlete representing the United Arab Emirates to win a UFC title. He continues to train at Allstars Training Center while representing the UAE in competition.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Chimaev utilizes his freestyle wrestling to control opponents on the ground, employing techniques such as handcuff locks and leg hooks. His grappling is aggressive and dominant, often compared to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s style. He complements his wrestling with powerful striking from an orthodox stance, mixing boxing and kicks to set up takedowns and finishes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Chimaev holds the record for the fastest three-fight winning streak in modern UFC history, achieving three wins within 66 days. He has earned multiple Performance of the Night awards and Fight of the Night honors. In 2025, he captured the UFC Middleweight Championship by defeating Dricus du Plessis via unanimous decision, marking a career-defining achievement.
Khamzat Chimaev Career Wins
Chimaev boasts an undefeated professional MMA record of 15 wins with no losses. His victories include six knockouts, six submissions, and three decisions, demonstrating his versatility and finishing ability across different fight scenarios.
UFC Highlights
Since joining the UFC in 2020, Chimaev has secured numerous highlight-reel finishes and set records for rapid victories. His first UFC win came by submission against John Phillips, and his most recent notable win was capturing the Middleweight title in 2025. He has consistently performed at a high level in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions.
Other Wins and Performances
Before the UFC, Chimaev dominated in Brave Combat Federation and other regional promotions with quick finishes and impressive displays of skill. He also excelled in freestyle wrestling, winning three Swedish national championships and maintaining an undefeated amateur wrestling record in Sweden.
Khamzat Chimaev Family
Family Background and Lineage
Chimaev comes from a Chechen family with a strong wrestling tradition. His older brother, Artur, competes in freestyle wrestling. Raised in a conservative Muslim household, Chimaev’s early exposure to wrestling shaped his athletic career.
Personal Life
Chimaev is married, having wed in 2022 in Chechnya. He carries a notable scar on his lip from a childhood accident. Despite living in Sweden for many years, he retained his Russian citizenship until acquiring Emirati citizenship in 2025. He is known to be close friends with fellow UFC fighters Darren Till and Jack Hermansson.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Chimaev reached a career milestone by winning the UFC Middleweight Championship. His season featured dominant performances and earned him multiple Performance of the Night bonuses. Training under the Allstars Training Center banner, he displayed improved striking and grappling, solidifying his status as a top UFC competitor.
Chimaev’s victory over Dricus du Plessis for the title showcased his strategic fight IQ and conditioning. Despite challenges such as illness that forced fight cancellations earlier in the year, he maintained momentum and remains a leading figure in the middleweight division with strong prospects for future title defenses.