If you’ve spent five minutes on MMA Twitter lately, you’ve probably seen the debate. Is he Swedish? Is he Russian? Does he actually live in Dubai? The question of where is Khamzat from isn't as simple as checking a birth certificate, though that’s where the story starts. Khamzat Chimaev is the UFC's first true "stateless" superstar, a man who has carried three different flags but claims his loyalty is to his heritage and his faith above any piece of paper.
Honestly, the confusion is understandable. One day he’s winning national wrestling titles in Sweden, the next he’s parading the UAE flag in Chicago after mauling Dricus Du Plessis. To really get it, you have to look at a journey that started in a tiny village and ended at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings.
The Early Days in Chechnya
Khamzat Khizarovich Chimaev was born on May 1, 1994. He didn't grow up in a luxury gym. He was born in Gvardeyskoye, a small village in the Chechen Republic of Russia.
Growing up in Chechnya during the 90s meant living through the scars of war. It wasn't exactly a stable childhood. But in that environment, combat sports aren't just a hobby; they’re a way of life. Khamzat started wrestling at age five. By the time he was a teenager, he was already competing at a high level, even snagging a bronze medal at the Russian National Championships at the junior level.
He calls himself the "Son of the Caucasus," and if you watch the way he fights—that relentless, suffocating pressure—you can see that Chechen wrestling base in every move.
✨ Don't miss: What Place Is The Phillies In: The Real Story Behind the NL East Standings
Why Sweden Wasn't the Final Destination
In 2013, at the age of 18, Khamzat moved to Sweden. He wasn't chasing a UFC contract back then; he was following his mother and older brother, Artur, seeking a better life and more stability than what was available in post-war Chechnya.
He settled in Kalmar, a quiet city that is about as different from the Caucasus as you can get. He worked at a poultry farm. He worked as a bouncer at nightclubs.
But he never stopped wrestling.
In Sweden, he became an absolute force on the mats. He won three Swedish freestyle national championships, often making top-tier opponents look like they’d never stepped on a mat before. This is where the "Swedish" label stuck. For years, the UFC broadcast him as a Swedish fighter. He trained at the famous Allstars Training Center in Stockholm alongside legends like Alexander Gustafsson.
🔗 Read more: Huskers vs Michigan State: What Most People Get Wrong About This Big Ten Rivalry
The Passport Problem
Here is the part that shocks most fans: Khamzat Chimaev never actually held a Swedish passport. Despite living there for a decade and paying taxes, he remained a Russian citizen with a residency permit. He recently cleared this up because people were accusing him of "abandoning" Sweden. He didn't abandon a country he was a citizen of; he simply moved on when the doors to full citizenship remained closed. Sweden has been tightening its immigration laws significantly, and for a high-profile athlete with ties back to the Chechen leadership, that process wasn't getting any easier.
The Shift to the UAE
In late 2023, the MMA world was stunned when Khamzat’s team announced he would no longer represent Sweden. He moved his entire operation to the United Arab Emirates.
Why the move? It was a mix of things.
- Travel Logistics: Traveling on a Russian passport in 2024 and 2025 became a nightmare due to global sanctions and geopolitical tension.
- Cultural Fit: Khamzat is a devout Muslim. He has openly stated that living in a Muslim country like the UAE makes him feel more at home.
- Support: The UAE government is famously supportive of elite athletes.
In February 2025, Khamzat officially became a citizen of the UAE. When he dominated Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 to win the Middleweight title, he did it under the Emirati flag. He lives in Dubai now, enjoying the sun and the training facilities that are arguably the best in the world.
💡 You might also like: NFL Fantasy Pick Em: Why Most Fans Lose Money and How to Actually Win
What This Means for His Identity
So, if someone asks you where is Khamzat from, what do you tell them?
Basically, he’s a Chechen-born Russian who represents the UAE. He’s a "citizen of the world," as he told Sherdog. He still speaks fondly of Sweden and the friends he made there, but he’s very clear that "Russia is my motherland."
His career is a roadmap of the modern migrant experience, just with more 1st-round finishes. He’s a man who has navigated war, asylum, and global superstardom, all while trying to figure out which border will actually let him through the gate to fight.
What’s Next for the Champ?
Now that he's the undisputed king at 185 pounds, the location of his next fight matters more than his home address. He’s been calling out Alex Pereira for a massive "White House" card in June 2026.
If you want to keep track of his journey, pay attention to the flag on the screen during his next walkout. It’ll likely be the UAE colors, but the heart behind it is purely Chechen.
Actionable Insight: If you're following Khamzat's career, don't rely on old UFC fight replays for his nationality. As of 2026, he is officially representing the United Arab Emirates. For the most accurate updates on his training and residency, his social media usually shows him at the NAS Sports Complex in Dubai.