"We were and will be brothers" - Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov squashes beef between Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 280 scuffle
Khamzat Chimaev once again found himself at the center of controversy at UFC 280. Following the main event, the welterweight contender was involved in a cageside altercation with Abubakar Nurmagomedov, the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov shared that he had a hand in helping the two fighters end their differences.
Khamzat Chimaev and Abubakar Nurmagomedov went from 0-100 wtf https://t.co/Qmbt5zx4xs
In a post shared to his Instagram that was translated from Russian, Kadyrov stated:
"Nerves can be stressed to the limit not only in the octagon, but also outside. Each of the spectators is worried about the athlete, and the fighters experience the same emotions as in the ring. Therefore, it is not surprising that misunderstandings arise at the limit of emotions."
"There is no quarrel between Khamzat Chimaev and Abubakr Nurmagomedov - I have made sure of it personally, and I pass this information on to the ill-wishers. Do not blow up this problem of a global scale and do not try to instigate and tease athletes and their fans."
"This happens, including among brothers. But it was the misunderstanding that was resolved. We were and will be brothers, Inshallah! So do not write nonsense, do not take sin to your soul, for every dirty word you will have to answer to the Almighty!"
While it is unclear what role Kadyrov played in ending the altercation, his relationship with the Chimaev has been well-documented. The No.3-ranked welterweight shared a meal with the Nurmagomedov team following the incident at UFC 280.
(via Reddit MMA)
Looks like everything has been peaced out between Khamzat Chimaev and Khabib Nurmagomedov's team 👍 (via Reddit MMA) https://t.co/aO1oI4BuLp
Khamzat Chimaev's recent history with Ramzan Kadyrov
Khamzat Chimaev's friendship with Ramzan Kadyrov has continued to grow over the last few months. Following his UFC 263 victory over Gilbert Burns, Chimaev returned to Chechnya and spent time training with Kadyrov and his two teenage sons.
Chimaev made his return to the octagon at UFC 279, where he defeated Kevin Holland via first round submission. Following his performance, he once again returned to Chechnya to train with Kadyrov's sons. This time around, Chimaev was called out for taking blows from the teenagers.
Here is UFC star Khamzat Chimaev playing the role of punching bag for Kadyrov’s teenage sons in Grozny today. https://t.co/IbBSNYeLx1
Chimaev faced further outrage this past weekend, as Kadyrov's sons were his guests at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi. Furthermore, UFC President Dana White was also criticized for allowing family members of the controversial leader to attend the event. That outrage only grew as White was later photographed alongside one of Kadyrov's sons.
Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov’s latest post on Instagram is of his son, Ali, pictured alongside Khamzat Chimaev and UFC president Dana White at Saturday’s show in Abu Dhabi.
The UFC continues to be a platform for the dictator’s propaganda. https://t.co/vLKbu11PqR
Check out photos of Khamzat Chimaev alongside the Kadyrov family in Abu Dhabi: