Is Khamzat Chimaev related to Khabib Nurmagomedov?
Khamzat Chimaev is not related to UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov. The two fighters come from the Caucaus region of Russia. 'Borz' was born and raised in Chechnya which is close to Dagestan, Nurmagomedov's homeland.
Comparisons between 'The Eagle' and Chimaev have often been made ever since the Chechen-born Swede's debut in the UFC in 2020. Due to both fighters' ability to dominate their opponents, MMA enthusiasts all over the world have been drawing parallels between the two.
A misunderstanding led to a brief feud between Khamzat Chimaev and Khabib Nurmagomedov
Nurmagomedov and Chimaev share a cordial relationship. Things turned a bit sour for a short while when, during an Instagram Live session by Ramzan Kadyrov in 2021, 'Borz' claimed he would tear 'The Eagle' apart if they ever came face to face in a Russian MMA promotion.
Looks like the honeymoon between Khabib and Kadyrov is over. https://t.co/MUHrll4vp8
During a promotional event for EFC, the Russian media asked Nurmagomedov to speak about the incident but 'The Eagle' refused to make negative remarks about Chimaev.
Later, in an interview with Frontkick.online, Khamzat Chimaev clarified that he had no issues with the Dagestani fighter.
“This guy [Khabib Nurmagomedov], we looked up to him; beginning, and now still, looked up to him. He’s like become a champ. He’s like one of the best fighters in the world. And people think I hate him. I love him – Because he’s Muslim. I’m Muslim. It’s like same, like, he come like some village like me. Like, same country (Russia); same small republic like Chechnya. Dagestan, like, it’s still the same; a lot of brothers from Dagestan."
Fast forward to 2023, Khamzat Chimaev has catapulted himself into the top ecchelons of the UFC's welterweight and middleweight divisions. He will take on former 170lbs champion Kamaru Usman at the UFC 294 PPV event. The fight will take place at middleweight and will grace the co-main event slot.
Meanwhile, Khabib Nurmagomedov has returned to the world of MMA after a long hiatus. Although 'The Eagle' has had a presence in the media, he had separated himself from coaching duties and managerial roles for his teammates like Islam Makhachev, Usman and Umar Nurmagomedov.
However, the former champion is actively involved in preparing Islam Makhachev for his upcoming title defence against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294.