Khamzat Chimaev
Nassourdine Imavov
Conversation History
“I called my mother to ask her about the fight; she doesn't know anything about mma. She said it's not a fight to be had, it shouldn't be between two brothers. That's why it's complicated for us. But at the same time, we don't have a choice”
– via RMC Sport Combat, revealing that his mother, despite not following MMA, advised him against fighting Khamzat Chimaev
“He’s a good guy. I know him, he knows me, we know each other. If you ask me, i don’t want to fight this guy, because we know each other... Dagestan and chechen people, a lot of drama on the internet, all these things i don’t like about it, but if the ufc wants it, never gonna say no. If the guy wants it, i will tell his manager as well, 'brother, if nassourdine wants, i will be open.' If he says he can’t wait until i move up, i will be waiting. I’m not gonna say no. For me, it doesn’t matter. Whatever he decides, the ufc decides, we’ll see”
– vias ESPN MMA expressing personal reservations about fighting his acquaintance Nassourdine Imavov but confirming he would accept the fight if the UFC or Imavov insists on it.