Khamzat Chimaev blasted by UFC rival's team after sharing training photo

The Fighting Nerds are at their wits' end with Khamzat Chimaev.
UFC 317 might be a headless PPV, with reports of middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis being injured. 'DDP' was slated to defend against Khamzat Chimaev, and a host of fighters have called 'Borz' out for an interim title fight, including Caio Borralho.
In the latest development, Borralho's teammate has stepped in to defend his training partner against Chimaev's online assault.

Mauricio Ruffy slams Khamzat Chimaev for sharing Caio Borralho training photo
Following Borralho's callout of Chimaev, 'Borz' shared a photo of him choking Borralho in training.
Khamzat Chimaev shares a photo of him submitting Caio Borralho via. IG 😳
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 21, 2025
📸 @KChimaev #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/zzlnoKLbeU
The photo wasn't well-received by Borralho teammate Mauricio Ruffy, who called for a stop to 'this nonsense' in a post on April 21.
"Enough of this nonsense [Chimaev]," Ruffy wrote. "We all know how camp training works. [UFC] send the contract, let's take the belt. [Borralho] will be the first Fighting Nerd to win the belt."
Chega de papo furado @KChimaev todos nós sabemos como funciona o treino de camp. @ufc manda o contrato, vamos levar esse cinturão! @BorralhoCaio será o primeiro Fighting Neds a conquistar o cinturão.
— Mauricio Ruffy (@Ruffymma) April 21, 2025
It's generally an unwritten rule in combat sports that what happens in training is left in training. Chimaev's post is a breach of this etiquette, but it only serves to bring allure to the fight.
In terms of marketability, Borralho currently stakes the best claim for an interim title shot with Chimaev. Middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov is also eyeing the title.
More MMA Knockout News
- Eddie Hall vs. Mariusz Pudzianowski TV channel, start time & undercard
- Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn TV Channel, start time & undercard
- UFC star Kayla Harrison predicts Julianna Peña title fight will feel like 'Godzilla'
- UFC main event gets personal as Carlos Prates roasts Ian Garry
Stick with MMAKnockout for more FREE coverage of the UFC, MMA, Boxing. Follow MMAKnockout on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Mathew is a UK-based combat sports journalist, graphic designer, and SEO expert with half a decade of digital marketing and a dedicated four-year track record in MMA journalism. He joined MMA Knockout when it was founded in 2023. Mathew's insights have been featured on Bloody Elbow, The Fight Fanatic, and Heavy on UFC. He runs Warrior Tribune and can be contacted by his Muckrack profile.
Follow notMattRiddle