Khamzat Chimaev does not fancy former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, as is apparent from his latest comments on Chechen politician Ramzan Kadyrov’s Instagram Live session demonstrate.
Kadyrov and Nurmagomedov had previously been friendly, and the two had been photographed together on many occasions. However, Kadyrov’s recent Instagram live comments seem to show that their friendship has soured. He slammed Nurmagomedov for never flying the Russian or Dagestani flags in UFC.
Khabib is a “UFC project” according to Kadyrov, who claims that the promotion can transform anyone into a champion. He also said that he would be willing to pay Khabib Nurmagomedov more than the UFC in order for him to play in the Russian promotion ‘Absolute Championship Akhmat’ and prove that he is absolutely unbeatable.
During an Instagram Live session, Kadyrov spoke in detail about this.
“The UFC and Bellator have their own stars. Look at these stars. How many fights have they fought? At what time? How many fights have they refused? Projects are not meant to fail.
“They can agree and make set fights. The Khabib Project? Same. He’s a good athlete, but it’s a UFC project. It is one hundred percent a project. He has a good relationship with Dana White and has had good fights.”
He continued, “However, if someone does not go into battle, they are removed from the rankings, and Khabib has never been removed from the rankings. He knows himself that he is a UFC creation.
“If this is not the case, why have I never seen our brother Khabib perform with the flag of Russia or the flag of Dagestan? He knows what he is doing.
“He became a champion, avoided mistakes. The fact is, it’s a UFC creature. I think he will agree with that himself.
“And to those athletes who had the belt and left undefeated, we wish good luck. I know Khabib is a UFC project and I can talk about it extensively.
“Of course, in this organization, he would tear everyone apart, but the question was, would he tear everyone to Akhmat? I’m willing to pay any money to Khabib to come out in the ACA and see if he tears anyone down.
“I’m willing to pay him more than in the UFC if he plays in the ACA against our fighter. Let’s see who wins.”
Khamzat Chimaev, who was watching the broadcast on Instagram Live, commented saying, “We’ll tear him apart if he wants.” One can only assume that his message was aimed at Khabib.
Kadyrov showered Chimaev with praises and said that he is an “outstanding athlete and a man who is able to compete in any weight class”. He also predicted that Chimaev will go on to become a UFC champion in several divisions.