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Khamzat Chimaev’s relentless rise to UFC stardom is a testament to his grit, resilience, and incredible skill. However, beneath the dominance in the Octagon lies a painful childhood story etched across his face—a scar that not only shaped his appearance but perhaps his fighting spirit as well.
Khamzat Chimaev and his scar
Born in Chechnya and now a Swedish national, Chimaev carries a facial scar with a story that’s as brutal as it is formative. The UFC star revealed that the scar, which has drawn taunts even from fellow fighters like Conor McGregor—who once mockingly dubbed him "rat lip"—stems from a traumatic childhood accident.
At just two years old, Chimaev suffered a severe fall down a concrete staircase in his home. The impact left him with a ripped lip, knocked-out teeth, and a broken nose. While many might recover fully from such an accident, Chimaev has lived with the consequences well into adulthood.
“I was two years old, and we had a big staircase in our house,” he explained. “I fell down on the concrete. I had a ripped lip; a couple of my teeth were knocked out, and I also broke my nose. I still can’t breathe from my right nostril.”
From Pain to Power
Despite the lingering challenges of his injury, Chimaev’s rise in the UFC has been nothing short of meteoric. In 2020, he burst onto the scene with dominant performances on Fight Island, setting a UFC record for the fastest time between Octagon wins with two victories in just 10 days. He followed those performances with a stunning knockout of Gerald Meerschaert, cementing his reputation as one of the promotion's most dangerous fighters.
Remarkably, all of this has been achieved with Chimaev only being able to breathe through one nostril—a limitation that would deter most athletes. Instead, it seems to fuel his drive to outwork his opponents. The scar and its ongoing effects may have forced him to push harder in training, developing the unrelenting pace and endurance that have become his trademark.
Turning Adversity Into Strength
Taunts about his appearance, like McGregor’s infamous "rat lip" comment, are nothing new to Chimaev. Growing up with visible scars, it’s likely he faced similar teasing and bullying. Rather than letting it break him, Chimaev appears to have turned these moments into fuel for his fire, using adversity to become one of the most feared fighters in the sport today.
You could say that scar has helped mold him into the fighter he is—a warrior who thrives under pressure, silences doubters, and embraces challenges head-on.
Here at Fight.TV, we salute Chimaev’s journey and the resilience it represents. His scar is more than a mark—it’s a reminder that even in the face of hardship, greatness can emerge.