Just a few days removed from his UFC title win in Chicago, Khamzat Chimaev has returned home with his gold strap.
On Saturday night, the UFC returned to Chicago for the first time in over six years for UFC 319, headlined by a middleweight title fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.
Chimaev proved several doubters wrong when he dominated Du Plessis over five rounds, showing off his championship cardio to become the new middleweight champion.
And with his win, ‘Borz’ made UFC history, becoming the first Chechen born fighter to win a UFC title, which he was congratulated for by Conor McGregor.
Chimaev receives a hero’s welcome as he returns home with his UFC title
Despite being born in the Chechen Republic, Chimaev emigrated to Sweden when he was 18 years old, which is when he found MMA at the Allstars Gym in Sweden.
However, since growing older, ‘Borz’ now resides in the United Arab Emirates and he represents the UAE when he fights in the UFC, and even draped himself in the UAE flag following his win on Saturday.
“I moved to a Muslim country, I felt more comfortable, I’ve fought there before, they give me big support always,” Chimaev said about his ties to the UAE at the post-fight press conference.
And now just a few days removed from his incredible feat in the Windy City, Chimaev has returned home to the UAE, and has received a hero’s welcome after presenting the fans with his UFC title.
Chimaev planning on making first title defense in Abu Dhabi
For several years, the 31-year-old’s UFC career was somewhat put on hold as he struggled to attain a visa to fight in the United States.
And although he now has no issues with acquiring a visa to fight in America, Chimaev has explained why he isn’t very interested in fighting in the United States.
Following the main event on Saturday, UFC boss Dana White stated that he is interested in adding Chimaev to the upcoming UFC 321 card in Abu Dhabi, after Chimaev stated he is keen on defending his belt in front of his home crowd.