The only thing that remains in the world even after you pass away is your legacy. That is why it is safe to say that Russian wrestling legend, Buvaisar Saitiev‘s legacy is in safe hands. If the measure of success is how many people you inspire, then the three-time Olympic champion and six-time world champion freestyle wrestler was perhaps the most successful freestyle wrestler in history.

Saitiev, who passed away in March 2025, is considered the greatest freestyle wrestler of all time anyways. And that is nowhere more apparent than in the people he has inspired. The most famous combat sports athletes from his native Russia, like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, and Khamzat Chimaev, all count him as a huge role model for them growing up.

But perhaps the most heart-touching tribute to the champion wrestler came from Chimaev, who got somewhat emotional talking about Saitive’s death and how much he meant to him personally.

“You know, when I’m thinking about him, I get goosebumps,” a crestfallen Chimaev told Adam Zuba in a recent interview. “He was a real role model for young people in the Caucasus. He was a very intelligent, fair, and respectable man. People of that kind aren’t born too often.”

“As for me, Ive learned a lot from him in this life. Even when Buvaisar had particular wrestling shoes, I tried to get similar ones. When I was a kid, it was so great to follow an example of a man like him. When I grew up, I got to meet him in person and know him better. And I was really surprised. I always thought of him in high regard, but when I met him in person, it was really impressive. I always wanted to stay close to him and just listen. He lived such a great life in sports that no one else will probably live,” ‘Borz’ said from the bottom of his heart.

As you can see, the multiple-time world champion was an idol and a personal hero of Chimaev’s, who is still grappling with his death. But Saitiev’s success and excellence were not just a source of inspiration for Russians.

Henry Cejudo joins Khamzat Chimaev in paying tribute to Buvaisar Saitiev

Henry Cejudo became the youngest American to win an Olympic gold medal in wrestling at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. But to hear him tell it, winning a gold medal at the Olympics– perhaps the greatest sporting achievement any athlete could get– did not fill him with happiness as much as meeting Saitiev, whom he has always idolized.

“I remember winning and being part of the 2008 Olympic championship team and I was more honored to be there with him. A man that was poetry in motion at its finest, and in my opinion, the greatest athlete who has ever lived or walked on planet Earth. I would never Fanboy over anybody but Buvaisar,” Cejudo wrote after Saitiev’s death.

“I was so honored of the times that I did get a chance to hang out as I had a permanent smile the whole day. Thank you for all the great years that you gave the Wrestling community and inspiring millions of people across the world. I can honestly say without @saitiev_74 I wouldn’t be the wrestler that I am today. Rest in peace, my hero, my legend and my great friend. 1975 -2025 RIP,” ‘Triple C’ added.

Chimaev is not the only one profoundly moved by Buvaisar Saitiev’s death. No, his untimely passing at the age of 49 has been a real body blow to all wrestlers everywhere in the world. What do you think about Khamzat Chimaev’s heartfelt confession after Saitiev’s death?