Why did Khamzat Chimaev cry? Revisiting 'Borz's' emotional moment after meeting fan
Khamzat Chimaev is a force to be reckoned with inside the UFC octagon. Nicknamed 'Borz,' the Chechen-born fighter is known for his aggressive fighting style and undefeated record inside the octagon.
However, during a visit to his hometown of Chechnya, Chimaev showed his sensitive side.
Why did Khamzat Chimaev cry?
In 2023, Khamzat Chimaev visited an event for orphaned children in his hometown of Chechnya. While meeting young fans, a 10-year-old girl stole the show. She asked Chimaev about his childhood dreams, then became overwhelmed with emotion after taking a photo with her idol.
Chimaev, known for his stoic demeanor, comforted the girl with a hug. The girl's tearful expression of gratitude, thanking him for being a role model and wishing him success, proved too much for the usually stoic fighter, who seemed teary-eyed.
Check out Khamzat Chimaev's interaction with the young fan in the clip below:
Illness forces Khamzat Chimaev out of the UFC Saudi Arabia main event
Khamzat Chimaev's dream of headlining the UFC's first-ever event in Saudi Arabia has been dashed due to a persistent illness.
'Borz' was originally scheduled to face former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the main event on June 22. However, UFC CEO Dana White announced Chimaev's withdrawal on Thursday, citing a severe illness that has plagued the fighter throughout his training camp.
The 30-year-old Chechen phenom was seen as a rising star with a potential title shot on the horizon. However, his medical issues have put those aspirations on hold.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Chimaev's manager, Majdi Shammas, revealed the fighter's struggles. Shammas expressed his disappointment over the withdrawal and confirmed Chimaev's battle with the illness, which included multiple hospital visits. Ultimately, the team determined that the fighter wouldn't be able to compete safely without proper preparation.
The post read:
"This is a devastating turn of events for Khamzat, his coaches, training partners, and other members of the team. Headlining UFC’s first-ever visit to Saudi Arabia was a great honor and something that was very much looked forward to."
Check out Majdi Shammas' post below: