Are Khamzat Chimaev & Khabib Nurmagomedov Related? Past Beef and Connection Explained

Weeks ago, Khabib Nurmagomedov offered some sage advice to Khamzat Chimaev. “I would advise Khamzat to strike with him. If you put them in straight boxing, Khamzat is better,” the UFC icon said on ‘The Hustle Show.’ On August 16, Chimaev will face Dricus Du Plessis for the UFC middleweight title. When a reporter mentioned Khabib’s suggestion, Chimaev replied, “I don’t even know what to say. Khabib probably knows better.” To many, the Hall of Fame legend’s advice and the 31-year-old challenger’s reaction came as a surprise.

Often mistaken for relatives, Chimaev and Nurmagomedov initially developed a friendly relationship. But a social media-fueled tension reportedly soured it, and the two ended up on opposite sides. Latest updates suggest both Khamzat Chimaev and Khabib Nurmagomedov have moved past the issues and seem to have mended bridges. Still, their brief squabble continues to intrigue fans. With Chimaev entering what could be the biggest fight of his career, many are eager to learn more about his connection with Nurmagomedov.

Is Khamzat Chimaev related to Khabib?

That’s a question many fans often ask. The curiosity likely comes from the fact that Chimaev and Nurmagomedov hail from the same region in Russia. But the answer is ‘No.’ They are not blood relatives. Both come from the North Caucasus, yet they belong to different ethnic groups: Chimaev is Chechen, while Nurmagomedov is Dagestani.

But their lack of blood relation hasn’t stopped them from showing brotherly affection. Last year, social media posts revealed Khamzat Chimaev calling Khabib Nurmagomedov his brother and saying he would never fight him.

Still, to understand the turnaround, where both Chimaev and Nurmagomedov seem to have put the past behind them, one must look at the cause of their rift. The tension appears to have been sparked by constant comparisons between the two.

What happened between Chimaev & Team Nurmagomedov?

Given their similar cultural backgrounds and fighting styles, some wondered who was better – Khamzat Chimaev or Khabib Nurmagomedov? Chimaev recalled in an interview, “I just broke into the UFC [and]… they started comparing me with Khabib and other fighters. With Adlan Amagov, in particular. Of course, when you achieve some good results, they start saying, ‘Oh, he’s like Khabib or Adlan Amagov…’ But everyone has his own achievement.”

“So it doesn’t feel good to be compared to anybody else. I just got triggered as someone said that Khabib would smash me, so I responded to that dude. Although I should not have done it. I said, ‘Ok, if Khabib wants to smash me, I am ready to smash him,’ and they just hyped that up,” he added.

Then there was the brawl at UFC 280 that grabbed many headlines.

A scuffle erupted between Khamzat Chimaev and Abubakar Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s cousin, after the team celebrated Islam Makhachev’s victory over Charles Oliveira at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena.

However, the day after the conflict, Khabib Nurmagomedov acted quickly to end the tension between his team and Khamzat Chimaev. Signaling reconciliation, they were publicly seen sharing a meal. Later, Nurmagomedov made a statement, saying he was disappointed in the incident because it reflected poorly on both sides. Both parties had apologized. He expressed hope their relationship would be friendlier going forward.

After retiring from competitive fighting, Khabib Nurmagomedov has built a strong reputation as a trainer. Khamzat Chimaev, meanwhile, is now on the verge of a championship. Many expect him to dominate multiple weight classes.

What do you make of Khabib’s advice? Do you think Khamzat Chimaev would have a sure-shot win if he follows it?