When Khamzat Chimaev talks about his path to the UFC, he often comes back to one moment. Watching Conor McGregor’s lightning-fast knockout of José Aldo at UFC 194 in 2015 made him believe he could turn his fighting instincts into a career. That single performance gave him the motivation to train harder and chase the dream that eventually brought him to the Octagon.
Yet, this story is more complicated than a simple tale of inspiration. Over the years, admiration has mixed with conflict. The relationship between Chimaev and McGregor has shifted between respect, public invitations, and sharp words that turned their link into a curious rivalry.
How Conor McGregor Inspired Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC Dream
In a 2021 interview, Chimaev explained that he was working a late shift as a security guard when he first saw McGregor stun the world with a 13-second finish of José Aldo. He remembered telling himself that if McGregor could change his life with one fight, then he could do the same.
During that interview with Brett Okamoto, he stated:
Yeah, I was watching his [McGregor’s] fight. I was watching him fight Aldo. I was sitting in night and was working [the night shift]. I was taking rest for 15 minutes and watched his fight.
I always look at that, like if those guys make so many money like millions and this stuff, why I can’t do it now? I’m a fighter, I’m a warrior and I have something special inside me… I had to find some way and take out this to show to the people.
That was the spark. In less than five years, Chimaev signed with the UFC and exploded onto the scene. His three wins in just 66 days broke records and made headlines.
The Beef Between Khamzat Chimaev and Conor McGregor
The connection between them did not remain a story of respect. In 2018, during the height of the McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov rivalry, Chimaev claimed he flew to Dublin with the intention of confronting McGregor. He says he was stopped at passport control, questioned for hours, and sent back to Sweden, a story that highlighted his loyalty to Khabib and his circle.
By 2020, tensions became public. McGregor mocked Chimaev’s lip scar on UFC social post, a jab often repeated online as “rat lip.” Chimaev responded by saying he would smash McGregor in one round if they ever fought. Around the same time, Ali Abdelaziz, who represented Chimaev then, added fuel by saying Khamzat would put McGregor in a wheelchair. That July, McGregor posted his cryptic “I accept” tweet after Chimaev called out several stars; Dana White later suggested it was meant for Khamzat, though nothing came of it.
In 2022 the tone briefly softened when Chimaev invited McGregor to train with him and Darren Till. His coach Andreas Michael even said it could be the best move McGregor could make if he came with humility. McGregor ignored the invitation, but the gesture showed that respect was still part of the relationship.
Only months later, the conflict returned. After Chimaev missed weight by 7.5 pounds for UFC 279, McGregor tweeted that the UFC should have pulled him from the card rather than reshuffle the bouts. Chimaev replied on social media and, as he had said in interviews previously, claimed he would smash McGregor. The card was reworked to Chimaev vs. Kevin Holland at 180 pounds, and Chimaev won by first-round D’Arce choke at 2:13.
From Inspiration to Rivalry on the Road to UFC 319
Today, as Chimaev prepares for UFC 319, the McGregor link is still part of his story. He continues to acknowledge that McGregor’s victory over Aldo inspired him. At the same time, he has said many times that if they fought, McGregor would not survive a round. That mix of admiration and rivalry captures the essence of their connection.
Chimaev is no longer the young fighter dreaming of the UFC. The McGregor chapter belongs to his past and present, but the future is about championship gold.
Why This Story Matters
The story of Khamzat Chimaev Conor McGregor inspiration is not just about an idol and a follower. It is about how one fighter’s defining moment can launch another’s career, and how that respect can later become competition. McGregor lit the spark, but Chimaev has used it to build his own fire. Now undefeated and chasing titles, Chimaev no longer looks up. He looks forward.
Also read: UFC 319 Preview: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat – Middleweight Showdown
