After his middleweight title win last Saturday, Khamzat Chimaev with his title returned to Chechenia.
On Saturday, the Premier promotion returned to Chicago for UFC 319 for the first time since 2019, with an 185 pound of title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.
Despite great worries about his cardio that was on his way in the fight, Chimaev proved the doubters wrong by dominating Du Plessis more than five rounds.
And although 'Borz' has not been the most active hunter in recent years, he could make a corner in his career now that he has become the champion.
Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty images
Chimaev credits Chechen leader after historical title winnings
Not long after his title victory, Chimaev received a congratulation report from Conor McGregor that he became the first Chechen hunter who won a UFC title.
Although he was born in Chechenia, 'Borz' has been living in the VAE for several years, because it is easier for him to reach a visa that lives in the middle.
Only a few days away from winning UFC Gold, Chimaev returned to the VAE, where he received the welcome of a hero at the airport.
And now the 31-year-old has returned to Chechenia with the title, where he was again greeted by a crowd of people and a party, including greeted by the Chechen leader, Ramzan Kadyrov.
Chimaev has had continuous health problems in recent years and has stopped his momentum in sport for some time. And talking to the media after arriving in Chechenia, Chimaev Kadyrov has credited to return to the sport.
“When I broke, he brought me back and said,” If you train, you become champions, “and as he said, we return to the sport. He brought me back to the sport and I became champion. Allhamdulilah,” Chimaev told Obzor Press.
The first title defense of Khamzat Chimaev will be decided in the coming months
Although Chimaev wanted to make the fast change in October to compete at UFC 321, it was too fast of a change with no clear competition.
And with that the promotion announced yesterday that Reinier de Ridder will take on Anthony Hernandez in the Main Event of UFC Vancouver, where the winner may fight for the next title.
Caio Borralho and Nassourdine Imavov are also planned to collide in the UFC Paris Main Event and those who perform the most impressive performance of the four will probably be the first challenger of Chimaev.