Khamzat Chimaev hasn’t competed in america in almost three years because of visa points however that every one modifications when he fights for the middleweight title at UFC 319 in Chicago and he believes that’s in all probability all because of President Donald Trump.
The undefeated Chechen mauler, who faces Dricus du Plessis in the principle occasion on Aug. 16, has struggled to journey into the U.S. lately together with his previous two fights happening in Abu Dhabi. Chimaev’s ties to Chechen chief Ramzan Kadyrov, who was closely sanctioned by U.S. officers in 2020 for “gross violations of human rights” successfully made touring to the U.S. nearly not possible.
That modified forward of his struggle in August with Chimaev truly spending a giant a part of his coaching camp in California as he prepares for his first alternative to turn into UFC champion.
“This wasn’t my dangerous. This wasn’t my fault,” Chimaev stated about not preventing in america throughout an open exercise interview with MMA Combating on Wednesday. “Everybody is aware of I didn’t have the visa to the U.S. That’s why I didn’t struggle solely as soon as in Abu Dhabi. So now Donald Trump is right here, we go for a struggle.”
In fact, UFC CEO Dana White maintains a really shut working relationship and friendship with Trump after first partnering collectively over 20 years in the past to deliver fights to his motels in Atlantic Metropolis, N.J. White has remained an outspoken supporter for Trump ever since his first time period as president began in 2016 and spent much more time backing him forward of the 2020 election.
Trump has additionally made quite a few appearances at a number of UFC occasions lately.
The truth is, Trump additionally introduced plans to host a UFC card on the White Home in 2026 as a part of his deliberate celebration for America’s 250th birthday. Whereas particulars are nonetheless coming collectively, White has acknowledged that his workforce at UFC are already placing collectively logistics for the historic occasion, which might seemingly happen across the July 4 vacation.
For his half, Chimaev doesn’t truly consider he could be welcome on that White Home card regardless of receiving his visa to journey and work within the U.S.
“Take a look at my face. I don’t suppose so,” Chimaev stated with a smile when requested about preventing on the White Home. “They [would deport me] to an immigrant camp or no matter. I’m an athlete, a sportsman, all my life I’ve been coaching. Some individuals put me ready like political shit and break my visa down and I don’t know why. I’m simply doing for my household — preventing, coaching. Athletes don’t should be with politics. I’m not related.
“If any individual desires to satisfy me, I by no means say no. Why ought to they try this? It’s placing lots of athletes in a nasty place with this. It is a sport that [brings] all the blokes collectively, [brings] all nations collectively however they need to do some other ways. I don’t know why. I’d be blissful if they offer me a struggle there however I don’t suppose so.”
Regardless of his ties to Kadyrov over time, Chimaev had constantly downplayed his curiosity in politics and that features no matter discourse is unfolding in America.
If something, Chimaev would like to maintain politics out of sports activities, which is why he was admittedly confused in regards to the UFC doing an occasion on the White Home within the first place.
“I don’t perceive why they’re going to place the fights over there,” Chimaev stated. “I don’t perceive. Why politics are used with sports activities collectively. I don’t know.”
