Khamzat Chimaev has only one goal: the Chechen doesn’t just want to defeat his opponents, he wants to destroy them. This attitude is only conducive to his career as an MMA fighter. Chimaev is considered a coming superstar. And one man is particularly pleased: Ramzan Kadyrov.
The war on Ukraine has two protagonists on the side of the Russian invaders: President Vladimir Putin, who ordered the attack, and the Chechen Ramzan Kadyrov. At least the leader of the autonomous republic would like to take on this role. Since the beginning of the war he has repeatedly offered himself to Putin as a solution for a quick end to hostilities. Whenever there are reports of Russian setbacks, tactical errors or even a failure at a front, Kadyrov is immediately on the air via Telegram, and as a counter-reaction repeatedly threatens to capture all major cities and a merciless purge of all enemies. Putin, who has apparently asked for the support of the “Kadyrovtsy,” may also expect a signal from their deployment: The story of their brutality, of torture and murderous lust is above all an attempt at intimidation.
No one in this war uses brutal rhetoric like Kadyrov. He repeatedly advises Putin to use even more violence and advocates the use of tactical nuclear weapons. The 45-year-old uses the reputation of his notorious mercenary army, the “Kadyrovzy”, who are said to be responsible for several murders of Russian opposition figures on behalf of the Kremlin (which denies this) and is extremely barbaric at home against people who think differently (before but above all against homosexuals). Kadyrov likes to portray himself and his fighters as hypermasculine – which means the special emphasis on strength, aggression and sexuality. One who fills that ideal with power and big wins is Khamzat Chimaev, a mixed martial artist who is the scene’s rising superstar.
Chimaev, this is what the newspaper “Welt” wrote, dish out brutally but barely take a hit. In his previous fights, he is said to have landed 252 punches against his opponents in the brutal duels in the octagon, but only taken two. A statistic that wants to make him seem almost invincible in this merciless sport with few rules. Kadyrov, who is only sacred to the rules of his tough regime, likes it. The Chechen leader is an ardent fan of cage fighting, which is very difficult for neutral viewers to endure, two of his sons are also already active in the octagon, and now one of his The 45-year-old knows how to take advantage of homeland becoming a superstar. The brutal dictator has offered himself as a patron to Chimaev and in exchange for love and luxury gets his services as a propagandist.
Fighters know about the horrors of the Putin mafia
“Chimaev has repeatedly stated that everything is fine in his native Chechnya and that he sees no human rights violations or other crimes that are being talked about.” So says Mansur Sadulaev, founder of the Chechen human rights organization Vayfond. Incidentally, it is based in Sweden. Chimaev emigrated to the country with his mother and older brother Artur in 2013.
“This [Kämpfer] are aware of the horrors this Putin mafia is wreaking in Chechnya,” Sadulaev tells the martial arts portal BloodyElbow. “They know about kidnappings, torture, rape of women and murders. But they prefer to buy their expensive Mercedes and praise these lunatics, thereby helping to cover up all their criminal activities. They became the mouthpiece for Kadyrov’s propaganda. “
He adorns himself with the fame of the MMA fighter and powerful postings. Once Chimaev shows himself on a throne covered with wolf pelts, while Kadyrov stands behind him with a paternal smile. Other pictures show her standing next to a cannon or stroking a small tiger. The main thing is hypermasculine. The main thing is powerful. Chimaev’s Instagram account, which has 3.7 million followers, is peppered with postscampaigning for the Chechen leader. What a massive platform. Like other rulers before him, Kadyrov uses sport to distract attention from the well-documented human rights violations and atrocities in his homeland. A process known as sportswashing that Qatar, the host of the next World Cup, knows how to use well for itself.
Chimaev is by no means the only star Kadyrov has enlisted. At a football gala in Chechnya in May 2011, former world stars such as record international Lothar Matthäus, the late Diego Maradona, Luis Figo and Italy’s libero legend Franco Baresi opened a new stadium. For apparently lavish fees. The murder and torture allegations against the Kremlin-loyal leader? Doesn’t matter. Apparently, this also applied to stars such as violinist Vanessa Mae, singer Seal, actor Jean-Claude van Damme and Hollywood star Hilary Swank, who appeared at a celebration in Grozny in the same year, among other things on the occasion of Kadyrov’s 35th birthday. Swank breathed a Monroean “Happy Birthday, Mister President.”
Huge outrage over the photo with Salah
A photo of Liverpool’s Egyptian superstar Mo Salah with Kadyrov during the 2018 World Cup in Russia caused particular outrage. The national team had set up their tournament quarters in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya – to the dismay of numerous human rights organizations. The anecdote from back then made waves. Kadyrov was not very enthusiastic when the team trained in front of a good 8,000 spectators in the Achmat Arena – and Salah was not there. He then had his car sent to the hotel, a five-minute walk away. The star was roused from his afternoon nap and immediately rushed to the stadium, where he was coerced into a grand performance by Kadyrov. “We chose from the list that Fifa gave us,” Egyptian team manager Ihan Leheta told the New York Times at the time, “if people have a problem with Grozny, they should talk to Fifa.”
The connection between the cage fighter and the despot is much more intimate. Not only does Chimaev pose alongside Kadyrov, he is also a regular presence at Akhmat MMA Fight Club. The center for martial arts with numerous branches is sponsored by Kadyrov from his government’s budget and bears the name of his father Akhmad. Fighters included in the club’s official roster will receive monthly stipends covering medical expenses, training expenses and travel expenses, according to the BloodyElbow portal.
The public demonstration of Mo Salah.
(Photo: picture alliance/AP Photo)
The fight club is said to be run by Abuzayed Vismuradov, a close ally and friend of Kadyrov. Not only is he considered one of the most powerful men in Chechnya, he is said to command a special unit and lead the ruler’s closest security team. According to the report by the martial arts portal, he is also deployed in the Russian war in Ukraine. The “Kadyrovtsy” warriors, already mocked by experts as influencer mercenaries – because they are more active in social networks than in action at the front (by the way, the pictures and videos of the supposed front line never show combat operations) – should provide corresponding video material about their social Media channels have spread. Even if it is still not clear what role the Chechens played in this war (it is said that troops were involved in the Bucha massacre), it seems clear: the Akhmat MMA Fight Club is anything but an ordinary martial arts center.
End of career after Covid-19 announced
Chimaev apparently ignored all this. He repeatedly held training seminars for children at the MMA facilities, gave interviews that were later happily broadcast on Chechen state television, and took part in photo ops with Kadyrov and Vismuradov. He regularly wore the clothes of the club. He was also present last year when Kadyrov issued a death threat to a 15-year-old Chechen teenager who had spoken out against his brutal regime. “You will not sleep at night. You will write your will,” Kadyrov said during a live stream on Instagram aimed at the teenage dissident. “I will destroy you.” Chimaev said… nothing.
And even when Chimaev gave up his career in 2020 for health reasons, Kadyrov was close by his side. “Borz”, as his fight name is, broke records with his wins, but after a long battle with Covid-19 he announced he was “done” with fighting. Kadyrov did not accept that, brought the fighter home, had him examined and spoke to his conscience. “I told him that all Chechens are upset by this news. I reminded him that the youth he inspires have their hopes and expectations in his success.” He has. And how he has this success. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) sees him as the successor to the legendary Conor McGregor.
But for the UFC, Chimaev can become not only a blessing, but also a problem. Because of the close ties with Kadyrov. According to the New York Times, just a few hours before his last fight last Saturday, the 27-year-old published a picture on his Instagram story that showed him video chatting with Kadyrov. It was the first joint “appearance” of the two since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
UFC talks its way out of connections
Since Putin’s invasion, almost all major sports federations and leagues have distanced themselves from Russian owners, teams and athletes, but not the UFC. It is sticking to its broadcasting partnership with a state-controlled Russian media company, as well as its Russian fighters. Chimaev officially has Swedish citizenship. The New York Times writes: “The UFC has long cultivated a brash, rebellious image, embraced the brutality of martial arts, pushed the boundaries of decency and the law, and avoided much of the button-down face that other major players sports leagues.”
But the organization is not only threatened with an image problem, but possibly also a legal one. Because since 2017, US citizens and people present in the United States have been banned from doing business with Kadyrov and his close environment because of the atrocities at home and probably also on behalf of the Kremlin. The UFC points out to the New York Times that its fighters are independent contractors and that it contracts with them directly, without intermediaries. The organization also said it has no affiliation with Akhmat MMA and that it complies with all laws and regulations. Details of how mixed martial arts fighters are paid are often unclear since their contracts with organizations like the UFC are typically private.
Last Saturday, Chimaev won his spectacular fight against the surprisingly strong Brazilian Gilbert Burns on points. After that he sent a greeting to his homeland. He wanted to “say hello” to his country. He then spoke in Chechen: “Brother, I know you’re watching from home. I said I’d get it done quickly today, but today it didn’t work out. Thank you, brother. God bless you. I know that watching this fight. Thank you all Chechens. God bless you.” The message was not addressed by name, but the recipient should be clear. And he replied via Telegram. Kadyrov celebrated fifth win in fifth UFC fight as “proof that Khamzat is king of the cage.” His king of the cage.