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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.
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But after registering his seventh victory in the UFC, the 29-year-old turned his attention to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
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.
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"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!"
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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.
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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