Khamzat Chimaev said that it is pointless to criticize him for performing under the flag of Sweden
A fighter of Chechen origin Khamzat Chimaev responded to accusations of a lack of patriotism due to playing for Sweden. His words are quoted by the Ushatayka YouTube channel.
“Patriotism is not forgetting where you come from, adhering to adats and laws. Wherever I am, in America or Sweden, I remain a Chechen,” said the fighter. He noted that it is pointless to criticize him for changing the flag, and added that athletes should not be involved in politics.
On September 11 last year, Chimaev defeated American Kevin Holland in the second most important fight at UFC 279. He was supposed to face American Nate Diaz in the main fight of the evening, but failed the weigh-in and was replaced by Tony Ferguson.
Chimaev is a native of Chechnya. He left Russia at the age of 19 when his family moved to Sweden. In his professional career, the athlete spent 12 fights without suffering a single defeat.
Source: Lenta
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