"Sweden was never my friend" - Khamzat Chimaev reportedly set to represent UAE, surprised fans react

MMA fans have been reacting to the news that Khamzat Chimaev will reportedly no longer represent Sweden.

According to @homeoffight on Instagram, Chimaev will instead represent the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after gaining citizenship earlier this year. His bout against Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 will also take place in Abu Dhabi, meaning 'Borz' is set for a home-crowd reception.

The 29-year-old was originally born in Chechnya, Russia but later moved to Sweden aged 18, alongside his mother and older brother. Chimaev would then start training at the Allstars gym in Stockholm from 2017, going on to represent Sweden during his UFC bouts.

The @homeoffight post that carried the news reads:

"Khamzat Chimaev is no longer representing Sweden, per his manager Majdi.❌ He now has UAE citizenship and will represent United Arab Emirates starting Paulo Costa fight at UFC 294."

The news has seen a mixed reaction from fans, with some questioning why Khamzat Chimaev appears to have turned his back on Sweden. One fan wrote:

"That's a lame move, that country gave him the opportunity to live there and become what he is today and now he turns his back on it."

A fan reaction on Instagram

Another fan stated that it is simply Chimaev following the money. They added:

"Going to where the money at."

Another fan's comment

Instagram user @hughroberson saw the funny side, hilariously writing a comment in the style Chimaev would speak:

"Sweden was never my friend."

Another Instagram comment

Check out more reactions here:

The rest of the fan reaction

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Khamzat Chimaev receives an expensive Rolex watch as a gift in UAE

Dubai or UAE in general is one of the fastest growing and prosperous regions in the world today. Khamzat Chimaev has shifted his training camp in Dubai and has been living in the city for the past few months.

Peple in the Middle East are known for their hospitality and they seem to be showering love and appreciation on Khamzat Chimaev. Few weeks ago, a video surfaced on Twitter that showed a fan gifting Chimaev an expensive Rolex watch.

Watch the video HERE.

Chimaev is set to take on former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the co-main event of UFC 294. If he wins the fight, 'Borz' will throw himself in the mix for the next wave of title challengers like Dricus Du Plessis and the resurgent Jared Cannonier.