Khamzat Chimaev is just days away from competing in his first UFC title fight, as he challenges dominant middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis in the main event of UFC 319 in Chicago this Sunday morning.
The undefeated 31-year-old has not fought in the United States since his first-round submission victory over Kevin Holland at UFC 279 in September 2022, with his last two bouts against Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker taking place in Abu Dhabi. His prolonged absence from U.S. events led to speculation about potential entry issues, with veteran reporter Karim Zidan claiming Chimaev “partially” faced difficulties due to his association with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who has been sanctioned by the U.S. State Department since 2017.
Chimaev, who has trained with Kadyrov and his sons on multiple occasions, has denied being banned from entering the country. Speaking last year, he cited illness, surgeries, and logistical reasons for fighting closer to home in Abu Dhabi, adding: “I’ve been in the U.S., and can come to the U.S.” He later admitted the main reason for his absence was not having a visa, joking that former U.S. president Donald Trump “heard” about it and “so we go for a fight.”
Chimaev’s return to American soil coincides with Trump’s 2024 re-election, and the fighter has previously expressed support for the former president, who in turn hailed Chimaev as a “great fighter” on social media.
While avoiding political debate, Chimaev said: “I’m not into politics… I stand for peace. So if any president wants peace, I’m with him on that.”
UFC 319 will mark the biggest fight of Chimaev’s career, as he looks to maintain his undefeated record and capture UFC gold for the first time.
