Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Khamzat Chimaev

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Khamzat Chimaev made an impact.

Khamzat Chimaev is a Russian-born professional mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler competing in the UFC's Middleweight division. Representing Sweden in freestyle wrestling, he is a three-time national champion. As of October 2024, he is ranked #3 in the UFC middleweight division.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2016: Swedish Freestyle National Championship Win

In 2016, Khamzat Chimaev won a gold medal at the Swedish Freestyle National Championships at 86 kilograms.

September 2017: First Amateur MMA Fight

In September 2017, Khamzat Chimaev had his first amateur MMA fight against Khaled Laallam, winning via submission in the second round.

2017: Move to Allstar Training Center

In 2017, Khamzat Chimaev moved to Stockholm to start his MMA career and began training at Allstar Training Center, after previously training in Kalmar.

2017: Swedish Freestyle National Championship Win

In 2017, Khamzat Chimaev won a gold medal at the Swedish Freestyle National Championships at 86 kilograms.

April 2018: Final Amateur MMA Fight

In April 2018, Khamzat Chimaev completed his amateur MMA career with a record of 3-0, after winning his following two amateur fights, one by submission and one by technical knockout.

May 2018: Professional MMA Debut

On May 2018, Khamzat Chimaev turned professional at International Ring Fight Arena 14, defeating Gard Olve Sagen via technical knockout in the second round.

August 2018: Fight Club Rush 3 Win

On August 2018, Khamzat Chimaev fought Ole Magnor at Fight Club Rush 3, winning via submission with a rear naked choke late in the first round.

November 2018: Brave CF Debut

On November 2018, Khamzat Chimaev was scheduled to make his Brave Combat Federation debut against Benjamin Bennett at Brave CF 18. However, Bennett withdrew and was replaced by Marko Kisič, whom Chimaev defeated via technical knockout in the first round.

December 2018: Brave CF 20 Win

On December 2018, Khamzat Chimaev took on Sidney Wheeler on short notice at Brave CF 20, winning via technical knockout in 35 seconds of the first round.

2018: Swedish Freestyle National Championship Win

In 2018, Khamzat Chimaev won a gold medal at the Swedish Freestyle National Championships at 92 kilograms.

April 2019: Brave CF 23 Win

On April 2019, Khamzat Chimaev fought Ikram Aliskerov at Brave CF 23, winning via knockout in the first round and earning Brave's Knockout of the Night award.

June 2019: Praise from Alexander Gustafsson

In June 2019, Alexander Gustafsson stated during a press conference that Khamzat Chimaev was one of the best fighters he had ever trained with.

October 2019: Brave CF 27 Win

On October 2019, Khamzat Chimaev fought Mzwandile Hlongwa at Brave CF 27, winning the fight via submission in the second round.

April 2020: BCF Welterweight Championship Fight Postponed

In April 2020, Khamzat Chimaev was expected to challenge Jarrah Al-Selawe for the BCF Welterweight Championship at Brave CF 37. However, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the matchup was canceled when Chimaev signed with the UFC.

July 2020: UFC Debut Win

On July 2020, Khamzat Chimaev made his UFC debut in a middleweight bout against John Phillips at UFC on ESPN 13, winning via submission in the second round and earning the Performance of the Night award.

September 2020: UFC Fight Night 178 Win

On September 2020, Khamzat Chimaev faced Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Fight Night 178, winning via knockout in 17 seconds of round one, earning his third straight Performance of the Night award and setting a new record for the fastest three-fight winning streak in modern UFC history at 66 days.

December 2020: COVID-19 Diagnosis and Fight Cancellation

In December 2020, Khamzat Chimaev was scheduled to face Leon Edwards at UFC Fight Night 183. Khamzat was added to the UFC welterweight rankings, entering at #15. However, on November 29, Khamzat Chimaev tested positive for COVID-19, jeopardizing the bout. On December 1, Edwards also tested positive, and the bout was postponed.

January 2021: Rescheduled Fight Cancellation

In January 2021, the bout between Khamzat Chimaev and Leon Edwards, initially scheduled for December 2020, was rescheduled for January 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 185. Subsequently, on December 29, Chimaev pulled out of the contest due to his ongoing COVID-19 recovery, resulting in the fight's momentary cancellation.

March 2021: Brief Retirement Announcement

On March 2021, Khamzat Chimaev announced his retirement from MMA on Instagram due to lung complications caused by COVID-19. However, Dana White later clarified that Chimaev was not retired and was just emotional due to the effects of prednisone.

October 2021: UFC 267 Win

On October 2021, Khamzat Chimaev returned to face Li Jingliang at UFC 267, winning via technical submission with a rear-naked choke in round one and earning his fourth straight Performance of the Night award.

November 2021: Freestyle Wrestling Match Win

On November 2021, Khamzat Chimaev competed against Jack Hermansson in a freestyle wrestling match at Sweden-based Bulldog Fight Night 9, winning on points.

April 2022: UFC 273 Win

On April 2022, Khamzat Chimaev faced Gilbert Burns at UFC 273, winning the fight via unanimous decision, earning his first decision victory, as well as Fight of the Night and first place in the Crypto.com Fan Bonus of the Night award.

September 2022: UFC 279 Win After Weight Miss

On September 2022, Khamzat Chimaev was scheduled to face Nate Diaz at UFC 279, but he missed weight, weighing in at 178.5 pounds. Consequently, he was removed from the main event and instead faced Kevin Holland in the co-main event at a 180-pound catchweight bout, winning via D'Arce Choke in the first round.

2022: Training with Darren Till

In 2022, Khamzat Chimaev and UFC title challenger Darren Till began training together, with Till arriving in Stockholm in February and training at Allstars Training Center and creating content for YouTube and Blockasset.

October 2023: UFC 294 Win

On October 2023, after a one-year layoff, Khamzat Chimaev returned to middleweight at UFC 294. Originally scheduled to fight Paulo Costa, he instead faced Kamaru Usman due to Costa's surgery, winning via majority decision.

June 2024: Withdrawal from UFC on ABC 6

On June 2024, Khamzat Chimaev was scheduled to face Robert Whittaker at UFC on ABC 6. However, he was forced to withdraw from the contest due to an illness and was replaced by Ikram Aliskerov.

October 2024: UFC Middleweight Ranking

As of October 2024, Khamzat Chimaev is ranked #3 in the UFC middleweight division.

October 2024: UFC 308 Win Against Robert Whittaker

On October 2024, Khamzat Chimaev ended up facing Robert Whittaker at UFC 308, winning the fight via a face-crank submission in the first round resulting in a dislocated jaw. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.