Khabib Nurmagomedov and Khamzat Chimaev are two of the most dominant fighters in the UFC, but are they related? This is a question that many fans have been wondering about, especially since the two share some similarities in their appearance, fighting style, and background. However, the answer is no. Khabib and Khamzat are not related by blood or by marriage. They are only fighters with a lot of commonalities in their fighting.
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The origin of the rumors
One of the main reasons for the rumors of the two being related is because of their origin. Khabib is a fighter out of Dagestan, a republic in the Caucasus region of Russia. Khamzat fights out of Sweden but is originally from Chechnya, another republic in the same region. Both the fighters follow the same faith and have a similar mentality of “anyone, anytime, anywhere” when it comes to fighting.
Another reason for the rumors is because of their relationship with the Chechen leader, Ramzan Kadyrov. Kadyrov is a controversial figure who has been accused of human rights violations and supporting terrorism. He is also a big fan of MMA and has hosted several events in his country. He has been seen with both Khabib and Khamzat on several occasions, posing for pictures and praising their skills.
Some fans have speculated that Kadyrov might be trying to create a rivalry between the two fighters, or that he might be related to one of them. However, there is no evidence to support these claims. Kadyrov has also denied any involvement in their careers, saying that he only supports them as fellow Muslims and fighters.
The comparison between the fighters
Another reason why some fans might think that Khabib and Khamzat are related is because of their similar fighting style. Both fighters are known for their wrestling and grappling skills, as well as their ability to dominate their opponents on the ground. They also use techniques like the Dagestani handcuff and leg control to immobilize their foes and land heavy strikes.
However, there are also some differences between the two fighters. Khabib is more experienced and has faced tougher competition in his career. He has also shown more diversity in his striking, using his jab and overhand right effectively. Khamzat is more aggressive and has more knockout power in his hands. He has also shown more willingness to fight in different weight classes, moving up and down from welterweight to middleweight.
Both fighters have been compared to each other ever since Khamzat made his UFC debut in 2020. He broke the record for quickest turnaround between wins in UFC history by finishing John Phillips and Rhys McKee in the space of ten days. He then defeated Gerald Meerschaert in his third UFC fight to secure the fastest three-fight winning streak in modern UFC history.
Khamzat has expressed his disapproval of the comparison with Khabib, mainly due to his striking ability and knockout power. He has also said that he respects Khabib as a fellow Muslim and a champion, but he does not want to be called Khabib 2.0.
Khabib has also been complimentary of Khamzat’s achievements, saying that he deserves to fight top 10 or top 15 opponents. He has also picked him to win his fight against Li Jingliang at UFC 267, which he did by submitting him via a rear-naked choke in the first round.
The feud between the fighters
Despite their mutual respect, there have been some signs of tension between Khabib and Khamzat in the past. The feud started when Khamzat claimed that he would tear Khabib apart if they ever fought in a Russian MMA promotion. He made this statement during an Instagram Live session by Ramzan Kadyrov, who seemed to instigate the challenge.
Khabib responded by saying that he was not disappointed by Khamzat’s comments, as he never expected anything from him. He also said that he had never met him personally and only talked to him on the phone once.
Later, Khamzat clarified that he had no issues with Khabib and that he looked up to him as one of the best fighters in the world. He also said that he loved him as a brother and that he was only joking when he said he would smash him.The feud seems to have cooled down since then, as both fighters have focused on their own careers. Khabib announced his retirement from MMA after defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October 2020, while Khamzat has been dealing with health issues due to Covid-19 infection.
The conclusion
In conclusion, Khabib and Khamzat are not related to each other in any way. They are only fighters with a lot of similarities in their fighting, but also some differences. They have also had some friction in the past, but they have also shown respect and admiration for each other. They are both great representatives of the sport and their region, and they have both achieved remarkable feats in their careers.
