Khamzat Chimaev delivered a powerful message about the Israel-Palestine conflict following his big win at UFC 294.
Chimaev beat Kamaru Usman, who replaced Paulo Costa on short notice, by majority decision in the co-main event of the Abu Dhabi card on Saturday.
He dominated the first round as he controlled the former UFC welterweight champion on the ground as he edged out a decision victory.
But after registering his seventh victory in the UFC, the 29-year-old turned his attention to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
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The UFC star called for peace as he gave an impassioned speech inside the famed Octagon.
He said: "People, you know what’s going on in the world right now.
"I wasn’t happy because I had to fight in a cage this week while watching kids die. It doesn’t matter where in the world: in Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, Palestine, USA, it doesn’t matter where it happens.
"When children die, it’s hard. I love children... I have a boy, three-months-old is waiting for me at home."
'Borz' added: "When someone dies, I don’t know what to say... Muslims, Christians, Jews, it doesn’t matter.
"Please, people, be together. Let us live in this world and let us be happy. Thank you, guys!"
The UAE fighter, now unbeaten in 13 MMA fights, appears on course to face UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland after UFC CEO Dana White talked up a title shot for the winner of Usman vs Chimaev before UFC 294.
Of course, Strickland captured UFC gold after stunning Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 last month.
But a showdown between Strickland and Chimaev could be delayed as the Chechen-born fighter suffered a suspected broken hand against Usman.
Will Chimaev become UFC middleweight champion? Let us know what you think.
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Topics: Khamzat Chimaev, UFC
Nasir Jabbar