Khamzat Chimaev sends message to controversial Chechen head Ramzan Kadyrov in social media statement after UFC 308 win
Khamzat Chimaev has put forth a message to the polarizing political leader Ramzan Kadyrov following his spectacular victory at UFC 308. Chimaev's message also featured footage of himself alongside Kadryrov and others from their respective entourages.
Born in Chechnya, Chimaev lived in Sweden for several years as a youth. He currently represents the U.A.E. Meanwhile, Kadyrov is the 'Head of the Chechen Republic.' He's known to wield considerable socio-political influence, ruling the Russian region of Chechnya, and has long faced allegations of human rights violations and other crimes.
The politician notably attended Chimaev's marriage back in 2022. He similarly supports other prominent sportspersons of Chechen descent, including undisputed light heavyweight champion boxer Artur Beterbiev.
Khamzat Chimaev is fresh off defeating Robert Whittaker via first-round submission at UFC 308 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., on Oct. 26, 2024.
Chimaev later posted an Instagram video of himself with Ramzan Kadyrov. His statement in the post alluded to him having trained with top-notch specialists to fight Robert Whittaker. He seemingly deemed Whittaker as one of the very best and highlighted that one has to fight the best to become the best. 'Borz' said:
"Despite his busyness and lack of time, my main fan, my dear BROTHER, the Head of the [Chechen] Republic Ramzan Akhmatovich Kadyrov was at the tournament, supporting me before and during the fight."
Chimaev indicated that he felt Kadyrov's support, couldn't let him down, and did everything he could to secure the win at the Almighty's will. The 30-year-old asserted the extra motivation and strength from Kadyrov that helped him secure the win as a gift for the leader.
Moreover, Chimaev alluded to a highly-publicized, difficult phase of his life -- the period around March 2021 when he announced his MMA retirement due to health issues induced by COVID. He'd faced serious lung complications at the time. Reports highlighted that Kadyrov personally met him and encouraged him to not give up. 'Borz' soon unretired. Recounting it, Chimaev wrote:
"Ramzan Akhmatovich is the man, thanks to whom I opened a second breath in my career, in the most difficult period, he brought me home, talked to me and made me believe that these are only temporary difficulties at the will of the Almighty and I restarted my career."
Check out Khamzat Chimaev's video and statement below (*Translation courtesy: Instagram):
Khamzat Chimaev reiterated his respect for Ramzan Kadyrov before UFC 308
The UFC 308 showdown against former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker was being viewed as the biggest challenge of Khamzat Chimaev's MMA career thus far.
With UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis expected to defend his title in a rematch against former champion Sean Strickland next, the belief was that the Whittaker-Chimaev winner would fight the du Plessis-Strickland winner for the title.
Heading into his high-stakes encounter against Whittaker at UFC 308, Khamzat Chimaev reiterated his respect for one of his biggest supporters, Ramzan Kadyrov. Posting a photo with Kadyrov, Chimaev wrote:
"BIG BRO"