UFC star Khamzat Chimaev, having accumulated substantial wealth, has invested a significant portion – estimated between $600,000 and $700,000 – into building a wrestling gym for children in his home village in Chechnya. He asserts that his fighting motivation has long transcended monetary gain.
“I Make Millions. I Don’t Care.”
In a recent appearance on “Beyond the Win,” the undefeated UFC middleweight champion addressed criticism regarding his infrequent fight schedule and extended periods of inactivity. Chimaev confidently stated, “I make millions. I don’t care,” emphasizing his financial security and lack of motivation to constantly seek fights solely to remain active. He clarified that his current schedule is a deliberate choice, not an indication of waning ambition or physical decline, as his star power ensures lucrative paydays regardless of fight frequency.
Chimaev stressed that his schedule is a deliberate choice, not a sign of decline or lack of hunger. Since 2023, he has moved to roughly one fight per year, but his star power and position as champion keep his paydays high enough that volume no longer drives his decisions.
Battling Inactivity: A History of Health Setbacks
Chimaev’s career has been punctuated by periods of inactivity, often due to health concerns rather than matchmaking challenges. Following a remarkable UFC debut in 2020, where he secured three victories in under two months, he faced significant setbacks from the lingering effects of Covid-19, which led to multiple fight cancellations and a brief retirement consideration in early 2021 due to lung complications.
More recently, a planned 2024 main event against Robert Whittaker in Saudi Arabia was called off after UFC President Dana White confirmed Chimaev was “violently ill.” His manager further detailed a “persistent illness” that necessitated repeated hospital visits during his training camp.
White himself has publicly acknowledged Chimaev’s recurring health issues prior to fights, with external reports citing a history of surgeries, fractures, and a compromised immune system that has severely impacted his training consistency. These persistent health challenges explain his shift from a fighter known for rapid turnarounds to his current pattern of approximately one fight per year, prompting discussions about his long-term durability, even as he maintains that his health is now managed and his fight selection is strategic.
A $600,000–$700,000 Wrestling Gym – Investing in the Future
The most striking revelation from his “Beyond the Win” interview was the disclosure of his investment in a community project. Chimaev revealed, “I built a gym for kids in my village. Spent around 600–700 thousand dollars,” detailing a dedicated wrestling facility in his Chechen hometown. He stressed that this project is specifically designed for local children and teenagers, serving as an investment in the community’s future rather than a personal training complex.
Previous UFC content had already shown Chimaev inspecting the under-construction facility in his village, where he expressed a desire for a wrestling space without a cage, focused on teaching the sport to local youth. While reports also indicated the broader compound includes family residences, Chimaev has consistently presented the wrestling gym itself as a commitment to the next generation of athletes.
“Money Gives You the Ability to Help Others”
Chimaev openly admitted his enjoyment of earning money, but immediately linked it to his ability to support his community. “People say I love money. Yes, I do — money gives you the ability to help others,” he explained. He asserted that beyond funding the gym, he regularly assists villagers facing financial difficulties, particularly those with medical expenses. “I’m happy with the money the UFC pays me. I’m living the dream,” he stated, further adding that his personal brand, “Khamzat Chimaev,” attracts significant sponsorship and business opportunities outside the Octagon.
Khamzat Chimaev’s Next Fight
From Chimaev’s perspective, these philanthropic endeavors and his financial independence are ample justification to disregard criticisms of his inactivity. His primary focus now is solidifying his championship reign, maximizing his earning potential, and, as he articulates, utilizing his income to support community initiatives like the wrestling gym and direct aid to those in need.
His next challenge is confirmed: his first middleweight title defense against former champion Sean Strickland. This highly anticipated main event is scheduled for UFC 328 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on May 9, 2026. The matchup presents a compelling stylistic clash between Chimaev’s dominant wrestling and clinch work against Strickland’s unconventional, pressure-heavy striking and volume boxing.
Strickland, ranked No. 3 in the division, enters the bout after a rebound victory following his loss to Dricus du Plessis. Chimaev remains undefeated at 15-0, riding the momentum of his impressive decision win over du Plessis at UFC 319 last August. Strickland, meanwhile, brings extensive five-round experience and the confidence of a former champion who has previously dethroned a favored titleholder.
The central narrative revolves around whether Strickland can maintain his striking game and jab-heavy pressure over five rounds, or if Chimaev, reportedly engaging in marathon wrestling sessions in preparation, can impose his signature grinding, mat-based pace that has dismantled most of his previous opponents.
