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

I remember the first time Khamzat Chimaev came into the gym to train with us. It was last year, I think, and we welcomed him at TK MMA Fit with open arms.

He’s such a superstar that in the past few years people are always hassling him for pictures and stuff, but I just kept it real, treated him as a normal training partner and then as you would a normal friend.

Last year, Khamzat liked working with my striking coach Khusan Majlimov so much that he based his entire training camp in Dubai ahead of UFC 294 next week.

Having a legend like Khamzat training with us, with his following, his experience, and his talent – just everything about him – has been incredible. It’s great having his energy. You feel when he walks into the room that everyone’s own energy is different, simply because of his presence. It’s kind of like you used to hear about Mike Tyson.

Like Tyson back in the day, Khamzat’s work ethic is crazy, his power too. It’s amazing to see someone at that high level up close, who’s talked about that much, who’s performing that way in the UFC – he’s 12-0 and tipped to be a future champion for a reason – to have him right next to you, watching him train and then training with him. I’m following in his footsteps.

I was doing the same circuits as Khamzat, these fight simulations where every week we try to beat our previous week’s record to show how much improvement we’ve made. They’re usually five minutes of fighting championship rounds, and having Khamzat as a gauge, someone to live up to in every aspect, has been so motivating.

And his strength? Wow. Obviously we’re different weights – me, lightweight; him, middleweight – so I only moved around with him in touch sparring, nothing taxing. But I’ve seen him just flip and