Rafael Kveldstad on sparring UFC star Khamzat Chimaev: “That’s how I developed as a fighter”

Rafael Kveldstad and Khamzat Chimaev. Photo via instagram (@rafael.kv1)

Swedish prospect Rafael Kveldstad is a red-hot fighter on the European MMA scene.

After winning the amateur title at Cage Warriors Academy South East 32 in Colchester this past Saturday, the 21-year-old rising star has his sight locked on winning gold in the upcoming World Championships in Albania.

Training at the Allstars Training Center, he trained and prepared for hours and hours with UFC superstar Khamzat Chimaev.

“I’ve sparred with him a lot. It’s always hard rounds with him, there are no easy or medium rounds, it’s always hard. I’ve kind of been the nail and he’s been the hammer, you know,” Kveldstad said in the new episode of Sweden’s leading podcast about fighting, Käftsmällspodden.

“But when you’ve gone a couple of rounds with him, and then spar other fighters, you are the hammer and they are the nail, you know what I mean? That’s how I developed the most as a fighter. He’s one of the best in the world. If I can go up against him, no one can do anything to me.”

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Rafael Kveldstad fought seven times in 2023

The surging middleweight has fought seven fights in 2023, including the recent Cage Warriors Academy title fight and a IMMAF World Cup final in February.

He made his amateur MMA debut in September 2021 and now the 21-year-old intends to go pro in 2024.

Check out the full Rafael Kveldstad episode of Käftsmällspodden here!

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