Khamzat Chimaev explained the change of citizenship

Popular Chechen fighter Khamzat Chimayev, who moved from Sweden to the United Arab Emirates, explained the motives behind his decision.

“To everyone who says I left the country, left Sweden and the like – I just moved to Dubai,” Borz said in a video posted on the social network. “Come to Dubai, friends. Everyone is trying to make a big political event out of it, but it was better for my career, my training – it’s always sunny here and you don’t get cold”

“I will always respect my city, Stockholm, my home, and I will always come back. I make decisions based on the interests of my career and my family – that’s more important to me than anything else in the world. Everyone who is rooting for me in Sweden – I respect you and I will represent you too”

A week earlier, Chimaev’s manager, Mahdi Shammas, announced that his charge had renounced his Swedish citizenship.

“He has emigrated and is no longer a Swedish citizen,” Shammas stated.

Khamzat Chimaev, 29, is undefeated, riding a six-fight win streak in the UFC, and is currently preparing for his bout with Brazilian Paulo Costa, which takes place Oct. 21 at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.

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