)
Khamzat Chimaev claims he earns more money outside the UFC than he does as a middleweight champion. Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) burst onto the UFC scene in 2020, competing twice within just 10 days.
However, his activity has significantly decreased since then, with him fighting only once in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The Chechen fighter explains why he doesn't feel a strong desire for frequent bouts.
“I don’t care,” Chimaev told Beyond The Win in response to criticism about his inactivity.
“These guys care. I’m making millions. These people just talk and do nothing. If you’re doing your job, I’m not going to follow how you do it, how often you train, how much you get paid. I care about myself, how much I earn, how much I fight.”
After dominating Dricus Du Plessis to win the middleweight belt at UFC 319, Chimaev will make his first title defense against Sean Strickland (30-7 MMA, 17-7 UFC) in the main event of UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark, New Jersey.
Chimaev has come a long way from his days of living in the All Stars Gym in Sweden.
“I used to live in a gym, and now I’m living my dream,” Chimaev said. “I’m making more money outside the UFC because of what I’ve become. Wherever I go, people want to sponsor me, they want to do different things with me, business and things like that.”
&format=webp)
&format=webp)
&format=webp)
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)
&format=webp)
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)