Khamzat Chimaev andRamzan Kadyrov have posted photos and a video of them on Instagram.- The Chechen leader recently convinced the
UFC mega prospect, who suffered long Covid, to un-retire. - Kadyrov says Chimaev is a future champion in
MMA , and you can watch them playfully spar right here.
UFC super prospect Khamzat Chimaev can be seen on video sparring the Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov in a new video.
An unbeaten fighter with a pro MMA record of nine wins (six knockouts and three submissions), Chimaev is one of the most feared up-and-comers in the entire combat landscape.
The 27-year-old joined the UFC roster in 2020 and became a Fight Island superstar for winning back-to-back fights in a 10-day span while barely even getting hit.
He submitted John Phillips with a D'Arce choke on July 15 before slaughtering Rhys McKee with punches on July 25.
Later in the year he knocked out Gerald Meerschaert in Las Vegas to continue his thrilling run while competing for the world's leading mixed martial arts firm.
Chimaev was supposed to fight Leon Edwards, who would have been by far his toughest challenge, at the end of 2020 but the bout kept getting postponed after both fighters contracted the coronavirus at separate times.
While Edwards recovered from the infectious disease, Chimaev suffered long COVID as he was coughing up blood weeks after testing positive.
The effects were so bad he "thought he was going to die," according to a documentary on YouTube.
The fighter hinted at an early retirement but was ultimately talked out of turning his back on the sport when he got a surprise phone call from Kadyrov, a politician and head of the Chechen Republic.
After the call, Kadyrov said in a statement: "HE REMAINS AND WILL FIGHT TO THE END!"
In March, Chimaev tweeted: "Surprise, surprise - I'm coming back to smash everybody" escalating rumors of a summer return to the Octagon.
And, in a surprise video, Chimaev and Kadyrov can be seen playing around in a cage, with the strongman leader forcing the fighter to the fence where he throws punches to each side of the 27-year-old's body.
Watch it here:
The pair were also pictured together in Grozny, Russia, last week.
Kadyrov called Chimaev his "dear brother."
In a statement, he said: "The Chechen Wolf is truly the brightest star in the world of mixed martial arts. Six months ago, Khamzat was known only in narrow circles, but he is now one of the most recognizable fighters on our planet.
"Khamzat possesses a wide arsenal of technical skills and excellent functional training. He is distinguished by bright charisma and absolute fearlessness.
"In the Octagon, he rolls a real spectacle. Therefore, his every fight becomes a huge event in the world of mixed martial arts and attracts increased attention of MMA fans.
"It is obvious that the future belongs to Khamzat," the statement said. "I don't see any fighters who could defeat him in the near future. He has a unique talent and hard work. This can be seen with the naked eye.
"For three fights in the largest MMA promotion - the UFC, he set several records. And this is just the beginning. I am sure that very soon he will be wearing the championship belt!"