Most individuals assume blended martial artists spend their downtime shadowboxing or looking at protein shakes, however Khamzat Chimaev has different plans. The undefeated UFC middleweight contender relaxes between coaching classes by diving into video video games.
Khamzat Chimaev and Video Video games
Chimaev’s gaming preferences lean towards strategic fight, which is smart for somebody who spends his days determining learn how to submit opponents. He performs Dota 2, the multiplayer on-line battle area sport that turns extraordinary individuals into keyboard warriors. The Swedish-based fighter posted images on social media exhibiting himself on the hero choice display screen, although he seems to stay to unranked matches slightly than the soul-crushing world of aggressive rating. Good alternative, actually. Getting flamed by youngsters on-line may be extra brutal than something he faces within the octagon.
Dota 2 includes two groups of 5 gamers trying to destroy one another’s Historical, a construction positioned deep inside every crew’s base Gamers management heroes with distinctive talents, accumulating expertise factors and objects whereas participating in participant versus participant fight. The sport requires strategic considering, fast reflexes, and the persistence to take care of teammates who blame everybody besides themselves for losses. Every match can final wherever from 20 minutes to over an hour.
Khamzat Chimaev additionally enjoys cellular video games, which grew to become public information throughout a UFC 273 press convention when he utterly ignored a reporter’s query. Whereas the journalist requested about his lodge encounter with opponent Gilbert Burns, Chimaev held up his cellphone and introduced, “I’m taking part in, one second brother
The press convention viewers discovered this hilarious, although the reporter in all probability felt much less amused. Nothing says skilled athlete like publicly prioritizing cellular gaming over media obligations.
Past Dota 2, Chimaev has been tracked taking part in Counter-Strike: International Offensive throughout a number of servers, with gaming analytics website BattleMetrics exhibiting his exercise on over 70 totally different servers. Counter-Strike includes two groups competing in objective-based rounds the place gamers should plant bombs, rescue hostages, or eradicate opponents. The sport requires exact intention, tactical considering, and crew coordination, expertise that may really complement his combating instincts.
Chimaev additionally enjoys PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds), the battle royale sport the place 100 gamers parachute onto an island and battle till just one survives. The sport forces gamers into more and more smaller secure zones. In PUBG, gamers scavenge for weapons and tools whereas avoiding a lethal electrical subject that shrinks the playable space.
Chimaev’s UFC profession has been nothing in need of dominant. He holds an ideal 14-0 file with six knockouts, six submissions, and two choice victories. He made UFC historical past by profitable his first two fights inside ten days through the pandemic period, setting a file that may by no means be damaged.
The fighter’s subsequent problem includes dealing with Dricus Du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship on August 16, 2025, at UFC 319 in Chicago. This represents Chimaev’s first title shot after years of requesting championship alternatives. Du Plessis at present holds the belt and can defend it in opposition to the undefeated contender on the United Middle.
