“I Was Watching Conor McGregor Fight” – Khamzat Chimaev Explains How Working as a Bouncer in a Bar Changed His Life

With UFC 267 just around the corner, fans are curious to know more about their favorite fighters. One such hyped UFC fighter is Khamzat Chimaev. The 27-year-old fighter had to take a short retirement because of COVID-19 and was reluctant to get back. In fact, Dana White was one of the several people who convinced him to continue his career as a fighter. To all his fan’s delight, he is back to fighting.

The fighter’s undefeated record makes his fans wonder about his life before becoming a fighter. Before his full-fledged MMA career, Khamzat Chimaev used to work in an Irish restaurant and a nightclub as a bouncer and security guard. This was back when Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov fought at UFC 229.

He revealed a bit about his previous job as a bouncer. Chimaev said, “Three redheads come in – I don’t know [if they are] Irish [or] not Irish.”

He further said, “If a person is too drunk, I cannot [let] him in. Because of this, I [told] them: ‘Come tomorrow, boys – you can’t today.’”

Chimaev also disclosed that he had a backup plan. He said, “I worked there for six months, then I got bored. People are drunk and dirty. In general, I wanted to get a job as a firefighter.”

He also said, “I thought I would learn Swedish and, if nothing worked out with sports, I would work as a firefighter.” [h/t rt.com]

ALSO READ- VIDEO: Fans React on Twitter as Khamzat Chimaev Makes Weight on His Third Attempt

Was Khamzat Chimaev inspired by Conor McGregor?

Chimaev has won medals at the Swedish National Championship but later could not continue his wrestling career. This was perhaps when he saw Conor McGregor rise as a UFC fighter. 

He said, “I was watching [McGregor] fight, I was watching him fight Aldo… I was looking at that like ;If these guys can make so much money, like millions and this stuff, why can’t I? I am a fighter, I am a warrior, I have something inside, and I felt that when I was born. All the time I feel like something special inside of me, and [I wanted to] find some way to take this out and show the people.” [h/t MMANews]

It is surely surprising to learn that the Irish fighter inspired Chimaev because it is no secret that he isn’t too fond of McGregor’s behavior outside the ring

Chimaev next fights at UFC 267 against Li Jingliang on October 30. Who are you rooting for in this dynamic fight? Let us know in the comments.

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