Khamzat Chimaev celebrates a win (Credits: Bloody Elbow)
Ahead of his main event duties against Nate Diaz at UFC 279, we take a look at how many fights Khamzat Chimaev has failed to finish
Khamzat Chimaev has emerged as one of the biggest prospects in the UFC in recent times. The welterweight behemoth has been steamrolling through every challenge the UFC has presented him with. He will be part of the biggest event in his career when he faces Nate Diaz at UFC 279 this weekend.
Chimaev is a three-time Swedish wrestling champion. He formerly competed in Brave Combat Federation. He was born in the Chechen Republic of Russia, where he started wrestling when he was five years old. He allegedly won a bronze medal at the Russian National Championships in the junior level. In 2013, when he was 18, he immigrated to Sweden with his mother, joining his older brother.
After moving to Sweden, Chimaev wrestled at multiple clubs, including BK Athens. He was considered one of the best freestyle wrestlers in the country and won a gold medal at the 2016 and 2017 Swedish Freestyle National Championships at 86 kilograms, and in 2018 he did so at 92 kilograms. Chimaev has had a series of dominant performances in the tournament, posting an overall record of 12–0, which includes three pins, seven technical falls and holds a combined score of 105 points, while only surrendering two himself, across all of his three showdowns. Chimaev has competed in a few judo tournaments and in four combat sambo fights.
In an interview with ESPN, Chimaev claimed he was inspired to start training in MMA during a night at work were he took a 15-minute break to watch the Aldo vs. McGregor main event. Chimaev stated, “I was watching McGregor’s fight. I was watching him fight Aldo. I was sitting in night and was working. I was taking rest for 15 minutes and watched his fight. I always look at that like if the guys make so many money like millions and this stuff, why I can’t do it now. I’m a fighter, I’m a warrior and I have something special inside me. I had to find some way and take out this to show to the people.”
Chimaev is known for his explosive fighting style and ability to finish fights. He pressures his opponent as soon as the bell rings and keeps the pressure till he finishes them.
In all of his 11 fights as a professional mixed martial artist, Khamzat Chimaev has only failed to finish one fight. The promotion had been working relentlessly to get a top-ranked competition for him, and it finally come to effectuation with a fight against no.2 ranked, Gilbert Burns at UFC 273. Chimaev went to war with Gilbert Burns at UFC 273, and displayed his heart, toughness, and grit.
He has 6 wins by knockout and 4 wins by submission as a pro. He has 2 knockout and 2 submission wins in the UFC.
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