It looks like there is a new rivalry in the UFC and one that could potentially lead to several exciting match-ups in the UFC. The beef between Khamzat Chimaev and Khabib Nurmagomedov continues, as Chimaev and fighters from Khabib’s team continue to trade words between each other.
The beef started when Chimaev issued a challenge to Khabib Nurmagomedov during an Instagram Live, instigating Khabib’s teammates. Needless to say, a war of words ensued between Chimaev and the fighters who associate themselves with team Khabib Nurmagomedov, leading many to believe that an epic match-up could be on the cards in the near future.
Also Read: Chechnya to Sweden – The Incredible Journey of Khamzat Chimaev
Looks like the honeymoon between Khabib and Kadyrov is over. pic.twitter.com/MUHrll4vp8
— Mike Russell (@MIKERUSSELLMMA) May 13, 2021
“We will tear him apart if he wants.” Chimaev’s comments during the Instagram live session caught the attention of many fight fans, including Nurmagomedov’s teammate who accused him of turning against his own friends. The rivalry between the both has a lot to do with the failing relationship between Chechen politician Ramzan Kadyrov and Khabib Nurmagomedov and increasing friendship with Khamzat Chimaev.
Also Read: What is Khamzat Chimaev’s Real Name?
Following Chimaev’s comments, Nurmagomedov’s cousin Abubakar Nurmagomedov rained down on the Chechen-born fighter in a now deleted post where he lashed out at Chimaev.
“Khamzat, why do you translate the subject into a plural if it’s about you personally? So you say in plural, ‘we will tear it down’, then you talk about Dagestan citizens. Answer for yourself personally, or do you have a motto: ‘we are alone and you are alone’? And on the account of that, whether you knock or not, I’ll say this: for me it’s sport. And I’m not trying to become some great champion, and I’m not shouting to the world that I’m going to break or tear someone. It’s you here who tear or break everyone (only in words). We are having a conversation about the personal qualities we should possess as Muslims and neighbours of fraternal republics.”
Abubakar Nurmagomedov went on to question Chimaev’s loyalty towards his country and his own people, and questioned him on his responsibilities as a Muslim. He warned Chimaev to watch his statements, and urged him to not engage in trash talk towards his own countrymen.
“I live where I want to brother. May be I am not careful, but you tapped carefully then go on and tell Dagestanis not to say they are Chechens when they go to Europe.” Khamzat Chimaev said. He followed it up with another post, before deleting all related tweets from his social media account.
Khamzat Chimaev mocks Khabib Nurmagomedov for cornering Artem Lobov
Khamzat Chimaev in his last tweet related to his back and forth with Khabib’s team, mocked the Dagestani fighter for cornering Artem Lobov during the lead-up to UFC 229 against Conor McGregor.
Nurmagomedov and team cornered Artem Lobov in the UFC corridor which prompted Conor McGregor to throw a chair on Nurmagomedov’s bus, breaking the glasses and scaring fight fans around the world. Khamzat evidently did not like Khabib’s decision to approach Artem Lobov while he was alone, looking at the caption in a now deleted post.
“I have a one-on-one motto, not a crowd-on-one, if you had something to say, you should have contacted me, not to contact me in public. We will see you there in America, boy! When your brother shouted to the world that he will smash anybody with confidence, so, I can’t be confident?”
Needless to say, this is an epic rivalry that could possibly culminate into a huge match-up. However, as of now, both the fighters have seemingly stopped passing comments about each other. Be that as it may, expect more back and forth when Chimeav is questioned on the entire situation in the near future. Recently, Khamzat Chimaev’s name was also removed from the roster mentioned on the official website of Dominance MMA, the management firm by Ali Abdelaziz. It won’t be wrong to say that Chimaev’s decision to part ways with Dominance MMA could have a lot to do with his beef with Khabib Nurmagomedov, considering the closeness of Ali Abdelaziz and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
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