TLDR
- Firas Zahabi, Georges St-Pierre’s coach, publicly invited Khamzat Chimaev to train at Tristar Gym following his UFC 328 loss
- Zahabi promised to address Chimaev’s grappling holes, cardio issues, and takedown defense problems
- Chimaev blamed his loss on illness and poor preparation leading up to UFC 328
- The public plea from Zahabi is unusual, as coaches rarely make such open invitations to fighters from other camps
- Chimaev’s current team has not responded to the training offer from the legendary Montreal-based coach
Sources: MMA Fighting | ESPN MMA | Cageside Press | LowKick MMA
Firas Zahabi, the legendary coach of former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre, has publicly begged Khamzat Chimaev to train with him following Chimaev’s loss at UFC 328. The unusual public plea has captured the attention of the MMA community.
Zahabi invited Chimaev to relocate and train at the famous Tristar Gym in Montreal. He promised to address the specific grappling weaknesses that were exposed during the UFC 328 defeat.
The coach detailed several areas where he believes he can help Chimaev improve. These include cardio conditioning and takedown defense, both of which appeared to be problems during the fight.
The fallout from UFC 328 has already sparked a stunning recruitment pitch, with Georges St-Pierre’s legendary coach Firas Zahabi personally calling on Khamzat Chimaev to come train with him and GSP in Montreal as he promises to rebuild him into a more complete fighter.#UFC #MMA… pic.twitter.com/STDAG0duLj
— Powcast Sports (@POWCASTSPORTS) May 12, 2026
Chimaev Explains His UFC 328 Performance
Chimaev has opened up about what went wrong at UFC 328. He cited illness as a major factor that affected his performance in the octagon.
Poor preparation also played a role in the loss, according to Chimaev. The defeat marked a turning point in what had been a dominant run through the UFC ranks.
The loss has raised concerns about Chimaev’s health issues, which have affected him multiple times throughout his career. Questions about his team dynamics have also emerged following the disappointing performance.
Zahabi’s public offer represents an attempt to help Chimaev get back on track. The coach has a proven history of working with elite fighters and helping them reach championship level.
The Tristar Gym coach pointed to his past successes with fighters who faced similar setbacks in their careers. He believes he can rebuild Chimaev into a championship contender again.
What Happens Next for Chimaev
The MMA world is waiting to see how Chimaev responds to Zahabi’s invitation. His current camp has not made any public statements about the offer.
Zahabi’s plea was unusual because coaches rarely make such public requests to fighters from other teams. The move shows how much potential he sees in Chimaev despite the recent loss.
Tristar Gym has produced multiple UFC champions over the years. Georges St-Pierre became one of the greatest fighters in MMA history while training under Zahabi’s guidance.
The coach has worked with fighters from around the world who have traveled to Montreal specifically to train with him. His methods focus on technical precision and smart fight strategies.
Chimaev’s decision about whether to accept the training offer could shape the rest of his career. A move to Tristar Gym would represent a major change in his preparation and approach.
The fighter’s health concerns remain a key factor in any future plans. Multiple training camps have been disrupted by illness in the past, affecting his ability to compete consistently.
Zahabi believes his training system can help address both the technical gaps and preparation issues that led to the UFC 328 loss. Whether Chimaev will take him up on the offer remains to be seen.
