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-Emirati professional mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler. He competes in the Middleweight division of the UFC, where he is the current UFC Middleweight Champion. A three-time Swedish national freestyle wrestling champion, Chimaev is currently ranked #3 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings as of December 9, 2025.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2016: Swedish Freestyle National Championship win

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

September 2017: First Amateur MMA Fight

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

2017: Move to Allstar Training Center

In 2017, Chimaev moved to Allstar Training Center in Stockholm, Sweden, to start his MMA career.

2017: Second Swedish Freestyle National Championship win

In 2017, Chimaev secured another gold medal at the Swedish Freestyle National Championships at 86 kilograms.

April 2018: End of Amateur Career

By April 2018, Chimaev completed his amateur MMA career with a record of 3-0, having won his following two amateur fights, one by submission and one by technical knockout, after his first fight in September 2017.

May 2018: Professional MMA Debut

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

August 2018: Second Professional Fight

On August 2018, Chimaev's second professional fight took place against Ole Magnor at Fight Club Rush 3, where he won via submission with a rear naked choke in the first round.

November 2018: Brave Combat Federation Debut

In November 2018, Chimaev signed with Brave Combat Federation and was scheduled to debut against Benjamin Bennett at Brave CF 18, but Bennett was replaced by Marko Kisič, whom Chimaev defeated via technical knockout in the first round.

December 2018: Fight against Sidney Wheeler

In December 2018, Chimaev faced Sidney Wheeler on short notice at Brave CF 20, replacing an injured Leon Aliu, and won via technical knockout in 35 seconds.

2018: Third Swedish Freestyle National Championship win

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

April 2019: Welterweight Debut and Knockout of the Night

On April 2019, Chimaev made his welterweight debut against Ikram Aliskerov at Brave CF 23 and won via knockout in the first round, earning him Brave's Knockout of the Night award.

October 2019: Victory against Mzwandile Hlongwa

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

April 2020: Cancelled Brave CF Welterweight Championship Fight

In April 2020, Chimaev was expected to challenge Jarrah Al-Selawe for the BCF Welterweight Championship at Brave CF 37, but the event was postponed and the matchup cancelled when Chimaev signed with the UFC.

July 2020: UFC Debut and Performance of the Night

In July 2020, 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.

July 2020: Fastest Consecutive Wins Record

In July 2020, just ten days after his debut, Chimaev faced Rhys McKee at UFC on ESPN 14 and won via technical knockout in the first round, earning his second Performance of the Night bonus award and setting a new UFC record for the fastest consecutive wins in modern UFC history (ten days).

September 2020: Third Straight Performance of the Night Award

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

March 2021: Kadyrov Convinces Chimaev Not to Retire

In March 2021, Ramzan Kadyrov allegedly convinced Chimaev not to retire and to return to Chechnya, leading to media speculation about whether Chimaev was forced to do so.

October 2021: Return Fight and Fourth Performance of the Night

In October 2021, Chimaev returned to face Li Jingliang at UFC 267, winning via technical submission in the first round and earning his fourth straight Performance of the Night award.

November 2021: Freestyle Wrestling Match Victory

On November 2021, Chimaev competed against Jack Hermansson in a freestyle wrestling match at Bulldog Fight Night 9 in Sweden and won on points.

April 2022: Victory over Gilbert Burns at UFC 273

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

September 2022: UFC 279 and Bout with Kevin Holland

In September 2022, Chimaev was scheduled to face Nate Diaz at UFC 279 but, after missing weight, was removed from the bout and instead faced Kevin Holland, winning via D'Arce Choke in the first round.

2022: Chimaev Begins Training Kadyrov's Sons

In 2022, Chimaev started training Ramzan Kadyrov's two teenage sons, Zelimkhan (Ali) and Adam. He was in Ali's corner at his professional MMA debut at ACA 150 in December, accompanied him to UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi, and took him to train at Tiger Muay Thai in Thailand.

October 2023: Return to Middleweight at UFC 294

On October 2023, after a one-year layoff, Chimaev returned to middleweight at UFC 294, originally scheduled to fight Paulo Costa but instead faced Kamaru Usman and won via majority decision.

June 2024: Withdrawal from UFC on ABC 6

In June 2024, Chimaev was scheduled to face Robert Whittaker at UFC on ABC 6, but was forced to pull out due to an illness and was replaced by Ikram Aliskerov.

October 2024: Victory over Robert Whittaker

On October 2024, Chimaev ultimately faced Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 and won the fight via face-crank submission in the first round resulting in a dislocated jaw. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

January 2025: UAE Citizenship

In January 2025, Chimaev received citizenship in the UAE, after moving there in 2023. He is the first athlete representing the United Arab Emirates to win a UFC title.

August 2025: UFC Middleweight Championship Win

On August 2025, Chimaev faced Dricus du Plessis for the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 319 and won the title via unanimous decision, earning his sixth Performance of the Night award.