Khamzat Chimaev Ends US-Ban Rumors With Hollywood Visit Amidst Title Fight Rumors

UFC undefeated star Khamzat Chimaev finally arrives on US soil ahead of his title fight at UFC 319 in August.

Khamzat Chimaev Ends US-Ban Rumors With Hollywood Visit Amidst Title Fight Rumors

Khamzat Chimaev gets the green light to fight on US soil (via Imago/Instagram)

Khamzat Chimaev is undoubtedly one of the most dominant fighters currently competing on the highly competitive and stacked UFC active roster. The Russian native remains undefeated and is now officially ranked as the number one contender for the prestigious UFC middleweight world title. However, for the last few years, doubts have surrounded his ability to compete freely on American soil due to unknown issues.

With recent developments and confirmations, all lingering doubts regarding Chimaev’s ability to fight in America have been resolved. In a recent post, Chimaev was seen arriving at Los Angeles International Airport, warmly welcomed by close friends and teammates. He shared multiple photos on social media, including a humorous meme of himself knocking on the symbolic door to America.

Chimaev was welcomed by JAXXON Podcast’s host, teasing fans with a possible upcoming podcast episode featuring the Chechen warrior. Previously, ‘Borz’ faced visa difficulties because he held a Russian passport without Swedish citizenship, making international travel problematic. His close ties with sanctioned Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov further complicated matters, drawing U.S. government scrutiny and potential travel restrictions.

Kadyrov is wanted internationally due to alleged human rights violations, including torture and extrajudicial killings committed in Chechnya. Global sanctions have been placed against him by Western nations for silencing critics, persecuting minorities, and violently suppressing political opposition. Kadyrov and Chimaev share a close bond, often seen training together and appearing in public, strengthening their personal and political ties.

Chimaev has received luxury gifts from Kadyrov and even coached the Chechen leader’s sons in martial arts. To circumvent these issues, he relocated to the UAE, seeking residency and a new passport option. Chimaev sought Donald Trump’s assistance because Trump had a close connection to UFC, potentially easing visa restrictions. He publicly expressed hope that a Trump victory would unlock his ability to enter the United States for future UFC events.

Now it seems like all those complications have been solved and fans can see the ‘Borz’ fighting in the US again. This development occurred just in time ahead of the much-anticipated UFC 319 main event between Chimaev and Dricus Du Plessis. The fight is scheduled to take place on August 16 inside the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

Khamzat Chimaev hilariously fails to mock long-standing rival

Khamzat Chimaev and former champion Sean Strickland share a heated rivalry fueled by clashing personalities and past altercations. Strickland has criticized Chimaev’s allegiance to controversial figures, calling him a puppet lacking independence and true fighting spirit. Chimaev fired back by mocking Strickland’s wild persona, accusing him of being all talk and no real threat inside the octagon.

Khamzat Chimaev mocks Sean Strickland
Khamzat Chimaev mocks Sean Strickland (via Imago)

Both fighters once trained together, but their bond shattered due to egos, loyalty conflicts, and heated verbal spats. Strickland recently made headlines by storming the octagon and punching a fighter after he defeated his teammate. Reports said Strickland and the opponent exchanged insults, pushing the former champ to unleash his anger with a sudden, violent response.

Chimaev mocked Strickland online but mistakenly tagged a random person instead of the UFC fighter in his post. The confused user responded humorously, unaware why he was dragged into a feud between two high-profile UFC stars. Chimaev later apologized, admitting he’s bad at social media and blamed the embarrassing blunder on his lack of tech skills.

Chimaev vs. Strickland remains one of the most intense and brutal rivalries currently active on the UFC roster today. Fans eagerly await a possible clash, hoping these bitter enemies will finally settle their feud with fists inside the octagon cage. If the UFC books this fight, it promises violence and a showdown fueled by real hatred and bad blood.