Undefeated Swedish prospect Khamzat Chimaev signs exclusive deal with BRAVE
Despite Alexander Gustafsson’s retirement, which may be more temporary than first thought, Swedish MMA is alive and well. MMAnytt can now reveal that undefeated Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev (5-0), training partner to Gustafsson, now has an exclusive deal with BRAVE FC. According to MMAnytt’s sources, Chimaev’s new contract is for three fights in the promotion, and he is now set to face South African Mzwandile Hlongwa (4-0, 1 NC). The bout will take place at welterweight and on the main card at BRAVE 27, October 4th, in the United Arab Emirates.
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Chimaev trains att Allstars Gym in Stockholm, alongside Alexander Gustafsson, Ilir Latifi and Daniel and David Teymur. All of his wins are by way of finish, four out of five via knockout.
Alexander Gustafsson: “My personal favourite”
“My personal favourite here is Khamzat, ‘Borz’. I train with him every day and he is an absolut top talent. I’ve never trained with such a skilled guy before, so I have huge hopes there,” Gustafsson said at the press conference following UFC Stockholm, when asked about who he thinks will be the next Swedish MMA star.
So far in his career Chimaev has finished Norwegian veteran Ole Magnor and previously undefeated Marko Kisic. In his last outing he ended Ikram Aliskerov’s impressive eight fight unbeaten streak, handing the Russian his first loss.
Hlongwa has ended all his wins via knockout, all but one in the first round. In his latest fight he faced previously undefeated Torbjörn Madsen, and won via spinning back fist in a spectacular knockout that went viral.
The main event at BRAVE 27 will see a rematch between Abdoul Abdouraguimov and Jarrah Al-Silawi. Al-SIlawi was the previous welterweight champion before losing his title to Abdouraguimov via a close split decision. With an impressive win, Chimaev would have four straight wins in the promotion, perhaps setting himself up for a title shot.