Amid the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict, Khamzat Chimaev, a Chechen UFC fighter, made a heartfelt plea to Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of the Russian republic, in a post-fight interview at UFC 294.
In the aftermath of his victory over former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, the 29-year-old Chimaev delivered an emotional address, acknowledging the numerous global conflicts, as reported by RT.
“Guys, you know what’s happening in the world right now. I wasn’t happy with my cage fight this week, and seeing kids dying,” Chimaev, also known as Borz, expressed.
Having immigrated to Sweden in 2013 and presently representing the UAE, the fighter extended his gratitude to Chechnya and switched to his native language to communicate with Kadyrov.
“With your support, it’s not a problem for me to fight in the octagon, and if you’ll grant me permission – I swear – I’ll be the first to travel there. I’m asking you, give me a weapon and allow me to go fight for Palestine,” Chimaev stated, as per Russian news outlet RBK.
Kadyrov, in response, congratulated Chimaev on Telegram, praising him for “strongly condemning the violence against the residents of Gaza.”
“Khamzat has shown how much the heart of a true Muslim is aching for the fraternal Palestinian nation,” the Chechen leader wrote.
The Israel-Gaza conflict, which erupted earlier that month due to a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel, triggering retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza, has resulted in the loss of over 4,000 Palestinian lives and 1,400 Israeli lives.
| Sahara Reporters
