Khamzat Chimaev is on the verge of earning a title shot in the UFC if he wins at UFC 293. He has recently decided to change his representation from Sweden to the UAE. This shift is noteworthy because he’s competed in the UAE for five out of his seven UFC fights. Chimaev showed a significant connection to the region as he continued his promising career in the octagon.
Khamzat Chimaev hails from Chechnya. He emigrated to Sweden with his mother when he was only 18 years old. Since then, he has opted to represent the nation he resided in, a choice often permitted by the UFC regardless of a fighter’s nationality.
The news was disclosed by his manager, Majdi Shammas, to SVTSport. Before this switch, the Chechen fighter was already training in the UAE for his fight against Paulo Costa at UFC 294. He recently shared a video of training with the CEO of Revolt Fight League.
Confirmed: Khamzat Chimaev will no longer be representing Sweden in the UFC, per his manager Majdi Shammas to @SVTSport
Just like that Sweden their chance to having their first UFC Champion in a nearby future. Khamzat will be representing UAE at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, UAE pic.twitter.com/jmJFWpecAO
— Matias Andres – Fight Life 🇸🇪 🇨🇱 🇰🇭 🇺🇸 (@MatiasAndresMMA) September 23, 2023Given his permanent relocation from Sweden to the UAE, this shift may not be surprising, but there might be potential political motivations behind this move. Speculations include religious ties due to the Quran burning incident in Sweden and the allure of tax benefits in the UAE.
Fans Express mixed reactions to Khamzat Chimaev’s move from Sweden to UAE
After news of the move started circulating online, fans began to wonder why he made this choice. Even though he had been training in the UAE for his recent fights, he originally started his MMA career at the Allstars Training Center in Sweden.
But things changed last year when the Swedish MMA federation banned that gym from taking part in the Swedish MMA League because of threats and disruptions during competitions. This added more curiosity about Chimaev’s decision among fans, who were trying to figure out how these events might have influenced him. Here are some of the notable reactions from fans.
That Arab money treating him nice 💰
— 🥊IENJOYFIGHTS🥋 (@IENJOYFIGHTS) September 23, 2023Sold out hamzi… he doesn't fight so he needs money from something
— Big S! (@bigS4nfts) September 23, 2023Good for him! UAE is the place to be
— IlluminateYourself (@IlluminateY97) September 23, 2023Didn’t the Swedes want Muslim immigrants to leave?
— Beard (@Beardtimusprim1) September 23, 2023What an awkward and unexpected thing, lol. What ever makes him happy I suppose.
— Smasher6446 (@SmasherBBS) September 23, 2023What a shame, things people do for money 🤦
— Rt💢 (@EternalVascaino) September 23, 2023He's a fraud. Switched up on the country that made him the fighter he is now
— lol MMA (@jns_pr) September 23, 2023The kafir only gives importance to money and all their dicisions are made for money. Therefore, they can't fathom a Muslim making a choice based on religion and principles. To them every dicision made by anyone must be for money only.
— Abubaker Ahmad (@abuha) September 23, 2023Kinda messed up tbh, Sweden took him in as an immigrant. But it is what it is, it’s not like they ever saw him as one of their own
— – (@UTDSpalotti) September 23, 2023If am not wrong its one of the most powerful passports in the world.
More money to chase there too.
He literally upgraded.
The anticipation surrounding Chimaev’s clash with Paulo Costa at UFC 294 is building, and fight fans can’t wait to see how it unfolds. If Chimaev manages to secure the win, it could mark a significant milestone in his career and for the UAE, potentially making him the first-ever UFC champion hailing from the Emirates. However, the road to the championship is not an easy one, and a potential showdown with Sean Strickland would be a test of Chimaev’s skills and determination.
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