Khamzat Chimaev has taken a broad approach by seeking out a billionaire entrepreneur to be in his corner the next time he makes the walk to the octagon.
The last time fans got to witness Chimaev in action, he delivered what is among the most one-sided performances in UFC title fight history against the then seemingly undefeatable Dricus du Plessis. Despite the dominant performance, ‘Borz’ received much backlash due to the lack of excitement in his fight style, and now the UFC middleweight king is potentially opening himself up to more criticism with his latest career move.
Throughout his rise to fame, Khamzat Chimaev hasn’t been afraid to do what he wants, regardless of the public’s perception of him. Whether that’s his association with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, the alleged fake glove touch against Kevin Holland, or his constant remarks that have left some fans seeking his cancellation, the controversy surrounding Chimaev stretches far and wide.
Adding to his long list of scandals, albeit to a lesser extent, Chimaev has actively pursued the help of Russian tech billionaire, Pavel Durov.
Durov, worth over $17 billion, is best known for founding Telegram. This social media platform allows users to exchange messages, photos, videos, and other files, similar to most well-known social media apps.
Including the addition of cross-platform availability, extensive group chat capacity, and its focus on privacy and security for its users, several standout features make Telegram a great alternative to its big-name competitors. But what does the owner of a social networking app have to do with UFC champion Khamzat Chimaev?
Currently on hiatus from the sport due to injury and not expected to return until Ramadan ends in 2026, Chimaev has time on his side as he prepares for his first title defense.
In preparation, Chimaev believes that having Pavel Durov in his corner will enhance his performance and lead to another successful night inside the cage.
“Brother [Pavel] Durov in my corner next fight?” Chimaev asked on X.
Brother @durov in my corner next fight?
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) December 4, 2025
Pavel Durov is an avid MMA enthusiast and often welcomes the opportunity to connect with those in the sport.
Durov’s ever-growing friendship with Khabib Nurmagomedov is arguably the most notable of his relationships with UFC fighters. Khabib invited the Telegram CEO to train with him in Dagestan, an offer which Durov accepted.
While he is closely connected to his fellow countrymen, Russian fighters aren’t the only ones blessed by the tech wizard’s perks. UFC icon Jon Jones has launched an official Telegram channel and has been handed the premium handle @JonnyBones, the same name he possesses across his other social media accounts.
Pavel Durov is now seeing his relationship with Khamzat Chimaev blossom, and the recent invitation sparked a friendly exchange between the two. Accepting the request, Durov insisted that it would be an honor to sit in Chimaev’s corner as he goes to war inside the octagon.
it will be my honor 🙏
— Pavel Durov (@durov) December 4, 2025
Related: Khamzat Chimaev shoves Ian Machado Garry backstage at UFC Qatar | Video
If the plan goes ahead, this wouldn’t be the first time a renowned billionaire has cornered a UFC fighter in one of the biggest fights of their lives.
Facebook and Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, like Pavel Durov, is a fan of mixed martial arts.
When UFC 298 rolled around in February 2024, Zuckerberg made a surprise appearance in the corner of Alexander Volkanovski. The now-41-year-old made the cage-walk with the featherweight great while sporting a ‘Team Volkanovski’ tracksuit.
The fight didn’t go as planned, however, as Volkanovski was on the receiving end of a timeless knockout at the hands of Ilia Topuria.
Despite that, befriending a man worth billions of dollars likely has its benefits. Chimaev may witness that firsthand after Durov expressed his intention to send a gift to the UFC ace.
there’s a gift coming your way 👌
— Pavel Durov (@durov) December 4, 2025
