In the world of MMA, Khamzat Chimaev's name is back in the news, but not for his fighting skills. Earlier this year, the undefeated Chechen fighter got mixed up in a crypto mess. He urged his fans to invest in a token called SMASH meme coin, assuring them it was a safe bet. But soon after, the coin's value dropped like a rock, leaving his fans and the MMA community questioning his credibility. Now, the ghosts of that scandal are back to haunt him.

Recently, Chimaev praised Alex Pereira's performance on his X handle, saying, "Congratulations, only respect." This seems like a genuine compliment, without his usual catchphrase. However, Pereira's sparring partner Sean Strickland wasn't impressed. He joked on Instagram, "Lmao, now buy a crypto scam with my name on it." Strickland had publicly criticized Chimaev before when the crypto issue was at its peak. He even said he'd been offered a lot of money to do something similar but refused.

Chimaev has denied any wrongdoing, blaming his manager and a lack of understanding about crypto. He said he trusted his team and the people who pitched the project to him. However, he admitted to making a mistake and is now trying to find those responsible. Despite the controversy, Chimaev is moving forward. He's set to fight Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, with a possible shot at the middleweight title on the line. What do you make of this situation? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

A MMA Star, a Crypto Flop: Khamzat Chimaev's Troubles Return

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