 In 2013, he moved up to the 120 kg class and won a gold medal at the FILA Wrestling World Championships.He started his senior level competitive career at 84 kg in 2002 before moving up to 96 kg and 120 kg.Khadzhimurat is a devout Sunni Muslim

In 2014, Gatsalov became Cormier's training partner ahead of Cormier's fight against Jon Jones in UFC 182.