Chimaev credits Trump for return to United States

Donald Trump’s victory in the US has earned Khamzat Chimaev praise, which he has not received in nearly three years.

Russian Chimaev has previously denied that travel problems prevented him from fighting in the US. His previous two fights have taken place in Abu Dhabi.

Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of the Chechen Republic, is under US sanctions for alleged human rights violations, including torture, murder, and repression. Chimaev has ties to Kadyrov.

The middleweight, who has won his first 14 fights of career, has frequently shared photos with Kadyrov on social media.

At UFC 319 in Chicago, Illinois on August 16th, he takes on South African’s Dricus du Plessis for the first time since 2022.

“This wasn’t my bad,” I said. Chimaev remarked about not fighting in the US, “but this wasn’t my fault.”

Trump and Dana White, the UFC’s president, have close friendships, and both have a strong support in the 2024 election.

Trump announced last month that he would hold a UFC fight at the White House in the midst of America’s celebrations marking its 250th anniversary.

Chimaev has downplayed his interest in politics and does not believe he will be invited to fight at the White House despite his recent return to the US to face Du Plessis.

Chimaev remarked, “I don’t understand why they’re going to put the fights there.”

“My entire life I’ve been an athlete, a sportsman,” I said. I don’t know why some people put me in such a political position and undermine my visa.

“I’m just doing it for my family, training, and fighting,” I say. Sportspersons are not required to be in politics. I’m not connected.

Du Plessis is defending his belt for the third time since Robert Whittaker was submitted in October, and Chimaev is doing so.

Chimaev has long been regarded as a potential UFC champion, but his career has been hampered by his illness and inactivity.