UFC Welterweight Khamzat Chimaev ignited a media storm after failing to make weight for his latest fight against Nate Diaz, except our insiders say he was only eating healthy items like salad while staying at Circa Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
As you know, Khamzat went on to fight Kevin Holland during a last-minute card change in UFC 279. Chimaev needed less than three minutes to make Holland submit, forcing a stoppage at the 2:13 mark of the opening frame. It’s common to wonder about the journeys these fighters embark on leading up to Fight Week, aside from their rigid training schedules. Here’s the scoop on some of Chimaev’s whereabouts!
Khamzat Chimaev Keeps It Healthy With Las Vegas Legends Before UFC Fight
We’re told Chimaev arrived in Vegas early, the week prior to fight week, where he checked out downtown Las Vegas’s newest and hottest property, Circa Resort & Casino. At the time, he ended up calling Circa Executive, Richard Wilk who is known for taking care of athletes, celebrities, and influencers coming to Vegas.
Upon arrival, he was escorted to his lavish suite and had some time to relax with his team, before heading down to check out everything the resort had to offer. The welterweight star has a personal chef who prepares custom meals, but that didn’t stop him from heading to famous celebrity hotspot Barry’s Downtown Prime.
Las Vegas’ hottest new steakhouse is always buzzing with star sightings, from J Balvin to Dennis Quaid to Mike Tyson. Chimaev and his team were escorted to Barry’s exclusive private dining area, where he was spotted “indulging” in a salad. The restaurant’s Celebrity Chef/Co-owner Barry Dakake joined the party and discussed everything from food, to Chimaev’s upcoming fight.
‘UFC’ Star Dining On Salad Inside Las Vegas Hotspot Prior To UFC Battle
It appears to have been a brilliant last-minute move by Dana White and UFC, considering the fights that happened were outstanding and left everyone begging for more.
After dinner, Chimaev met with Circa’s CEO/Owner Derek Stevens, and they chatted for a while about fight week, had lots of laughs, and even went head to head in an epic photo op. Before, after, and during Chimaev’s conversation with Derek, fans ran up to the UFC star eagerly asking for photos and videos.
Chimaev was reportedly very gracious with fans and was happy to engage in conversations and pose for photos with anyone who approached him. Even fans who didn’t approach him could be heard yelling and cheering around the property once he was spotted.
Circa’s Vice President of Operations, David Rosborough (who looks like he could win a few UFC fights himself) was also chatting with Derek, and Chimaev was compelled to meet him as well to learn a little more from the bosses of Vegas’ newest resort. With a UFC record of 12-0-0, and some pre-fight fuel at Circa it seems as though it didn’t matter who he was fighting; he was destined to win his match.
