KHAMZAT CHIMAEV is just days away from competing in his first UFC title fight.
The undefeated phenom will challenge for middleweight gold in the main event of UFC 319 in Chicago early on Sunday morning.
GETTYKhamzat Chimaev returns to the octagon next weekend in the main event of UFC 319[/caption]
UFCThe Chechen clubber will challenge Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight title in Chicago[/caption]
‘Borz’ hasn’t fought in the United States since his UFC 279 win over Kevin Holland nearly three years agoGETTY
GETTYHis absence from the United States raised plenty of questions[/caption]
Standing between the 31-year-old wrecking machine and his dream of winning UFC gold is dominant champion Dricus Du Plessis.
Chimaev’s Chicago clash with DDP will be his first outing on American soil since his first-round submission of Kevin Holland in September 2022.
His last two fights against Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker have both taken place in Abu Dhabi.
His absence from the States raised eyebrows and led many to wonder if he’d been banned from entering the country.
And according to veteran and internationally respected reporter Karim Zidan, Chimaev “partially” had difficulty entering the USA due to his “association” with Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov.
Chimaev is pals with Kadryov, who was sanctioned by the U.S State Department over multiple human rights abuses in December 2017.
And he’s trained with Kadryov and his sons on multiple occasions over the years.
‘Borz’ responded to the claims about his eligibility to enter the US last October and was dismissive of suggestions he’d been banned from the country.
SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN
Khamazat Chimaev is friends with Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov
Reports have claimed Chimaev was partly unable to enter the US due to his relationship with the State Department-sanctioned Kadyrov
He told Shakiel Majouri: “I don’t think [it would be a problem], there’s a lot of s*** things [being said].
“I’ve been in the U.S., and can come to the U.S.
“But, a lot of s*** things have happened in my life. Being sick, having surgeries.
“So that’s why I’ve [not] been fighting [there] like before.”
He continued: “So, Abu Dhabi being close to me, I’ll fight here.
“I’ve been in England, I’ve been in the UK, the U.S., I’m going to go to Australia soon in December. I can be anywhere.
“So, I don’t know who has a problem with me, and people say a lot of different things. I don’t know.”
Chimaev last week added: “This wasn’t my bad, wasn’t my fault.
“Everyone knows I didn’t have a Visa to the US. That’s why I didn’t fight [there].
“So now, Donald Trump, he heard, so we go for a fight.”
I’ve been in the U.S., and can come to the U.S.”
Khamzat Chimaev on reports he was banned from entering the USA
MEGA AGENCYDonald Trump hailed Khamzat Chimaev as a “great fighter” last year[/caption]
Chimaev’s return to the US has undoubtedly coincided with the 2024 re-election of Donald Trump, a long-time friend of UFC bigwig Dana White.
Chimaev publicly rooted for Trump in the build-up to the 2024 Elections and admitted he’d have a better chance of competing in the States if he were to defeat Democrat candidate Kamala Harris.
Trump got wind of the Russian’s comments and hailed him as a “great fighter” on his Instagram story.
When asked about Trump’s praise, he told Adam Zuba: “Everyone texted me ‘Trump mentioned you’. Well, he’s a big fight fan.
“The head of the Chechen Republic supports me so much, he’s always there for me and roots for me.
“I’m not into politics, I don’t want to say something abut this president or that president.
“We, common people, have no clue whats really going on in the world, but I stand for peace.
“So if any President wants peace I’m with him on that.”
Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
