Mohammed Yahya: Training with Khamzat Chimaev has been so motivating ahead of UFC debut

I bear in mind the primary time Khamzat Chimaev got here into the fitness center to coach with us. It was final 12 months, I believe, and we welcomed him at TK MMA Match with open arms.

He’s such a celebrity that previously few years individuals are all the time hassling him for photos and stuff, however I simply saved it actual, handled him as a traditional coaching companion after which as you’d a traditional buddy.

Final 12 months, Khamzat preferred working with my putting coach Khusan Majlimov a lot that he primarily based his total coaching camp in Dubai forward of UFC 294 subsequent week.

Having a legend like Khamzat coaching with us, together with his following, his expertise, and his expertise – simply every thing about him – has been unimaginable. It’s nice having his power. You’re feeling when he walks into the room that everybody’s personal power is completely different, merely due to his presence. It’s sort of such as you used to listen to about Mike Tyson.

Like Tyson again within the day, Khamzat’s work ethic is loopy, his energy too. It’s wonderful to see somebody at that top stage up shut, who’s talked about that a lot, who’s performing that manner within the UFC – he’s 12-0 and tipped to be a future champion for a cause – to have him proper subsequent to you, watching him prepare after which coaching with him. I’m following in his footsteps.

I used to be doing the identical circuits as Khamzat, these struggle simulations the place each week we attempt to beat our earlier week’s report to indicate how a lot enchancment we’ve made. They’re often 5 minutes of preventing championship rounds, and having Khamzat as a gauge, somebody to dwell as much as in each facet, has been so motivating.

And his power? Wow. Clearly we’re completely different weights – me, light-weight; him, middleweight – so I solely moved round with him in contact sparring, nothing taxing. However I’ve seen him simply flip and throw wrestlers.

There’s a five-time nationwide wrestling champion with us and Khamzat was manhandling him. And the wrestler was possibly a bit heavier than him, as properly. I wrestled with this man earlier than and have seen what he does to individuals and felt his energy.

So for him to get rag-dolled, you perceive how a lot energy Khamzat has.

You realise why he performs the way in which he does contained in the octagon, why he’s managed a few of his devastating knockouts or how he manhandles individuals. These performances have positioned a lot respect on his identify; individuals know what he’s able to and don’t wish to be on his flawed facet. I’ve been so lucky to coach alongside him for my UFC debut.

However, as an individual, Khamzat just isn’t in all probability what the media portrays. He’s such a pleasant human being, very humble, and all the time prepared to assist anybody or give recommendation.

When he discovered I might be competing for the primary time within the UFC, he mentioned, ‘The media commitments, and the commitments with the promotion, are going to kill you, as a result of it’s your debut’. It’s nice having somebody who’s been there, seen and performed it, to be that sounding board.

And I truthfully can’t wait. It’s a number of days to go, and I’m feeling rather more excited. Clearly, I’m not wanting ahead to the load lower – even when I by no means battle to make it since I’ve been the identical weight since I used to be 16, via my 22 wins in kickboxing after which my skilled MMA profession.

However I’m excited to go get checked into the lodge early subsequent week, get that UFC struggle package I’ve been ready to put on for some time now.

With the last-minute adjustments to the cardboard – Alex Volkanovski in for Charles Oliveira in opposition to Islam Makhachev, and Kamaru Usman now going through Khamzat as a substitute of Paulo Costa – I truthfully assume UFC 294 has gotten even higher. Let me inform you, nobody goes to wish to struggle Khamzat on such brief discover.

And, having educated alongside him, I’d say I’m as prepared as him for this struggle in opposition to Trevor Peek.

If each Khamzat and I are victorious – I don’t assume Khamzat’s going to lose anytime quickly – then we’ll have a good time, possibly at a gathering social gathering with the entire workforce.

For me to get the win on October 21 is every thing proper now; nothing else issues, nothing means extra to me at this second. It’s one thing I’ve waited my complete life for, so I’m not going to let it slip.