Khamzat Chimaev signs new ‘long-term UFC deal’ ahead of his blockbuster clash against Kamaru Usman at UFC 294… and he may have let slip his new contract is worth ‘almost $20million’ over seven fights
- Khamzat Chimaev has reportedly signed a long-term new deal with the UFC
- The 29-year-old wrestler is currently undefeated across six visits to the Octagon
- Chimaev indicated this week that the deal could be worth upwards of $20million
Khamzat Chimaev has reportedly signed a long-term deal with the UFC ahead of his UFC 294 co-main event clash with Kamaru Usman on Saturday.
The 29-year-old has become one of the promotion’s biggest stars in recent years, going undefeated across six visits to the Octagon.
Though he had two fights remaining on his existing deal, ESPN revealed earlier this week that Chimaev has been rewarded for his success with a new long-term contract, as he inches towards his first UFC title shot.
Though terms were not initially disclosed in said report, Chimaev appeared to indicate in a recent interview that his new UFC contract is one of the most lucrative in promotional history.
‘Seven fights, it’s almost $20 million, more than $20 million.’ Chimaev told Nina Drama.
Chimaev arrived in the UFC in 2020, after amassing an undefeated 6-0 record as a professional with fights in Sweden, Bahrain and India.
Khamzat Chimaev has reportedly inked a new long-term contract with the UFC
The 29-year-old has become one of the promotion’s biggest stars since his debut in 2020
Chimaev faces arguably the stiffest test of his career so far when he takes on Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 on Saturday
In his UFC debut former Swedish national freestyle wrestling champion summarily defeated Welsh striker John Phillips, earning a Performance of the Night bonus in the process.
Just 10 days later he set a modern UFC record by returning to the Octagon and stopping Rhys McKee in the first round marking the fastest consecutive victories in promotional history.
Since then the welterweight contender’s run of dominance has shown no signs of slowing down, with only former title challenger Gilbert Burns having managed to reach the final bell.
On Saturday Chimaev returns to the 185lbs weight class for the first time in three years to take on former UFC champion Usman in Abu Dhabi.
Chimaev had initially been scheduled to face Paulo Costa at UFC 294, but an injury sustained by the Brazilian in training forced him to pull out and be replaced by Usman, who is making his middleweight debut on just 10 days notice.
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