Khamzat Chimaev hasn’t competed in the US for nearly three years due to Visa issues, but when he fights for the middleweight title at UFC 319 in Chicago, everything changes and he believes that it’s probably all because of President Donald Trump.
The undefeated Chechen Maurer, facing Dorikas duplesis in the main event on August 16th, has struggled to travel to the US in recent years in his last two fights in Abu Dhabi. Chimaev’s relationship with Chechnya leader Ramzan Kadyrov was heavily approved by US authorities in 2020 for “a total violation of human rights,” making travel to the US nearly impossible.
It changed ahead of his fight in August, and Chimaev actually spent most of his training camp in California preparing his first opportunity to become a UFC champion.
“This wasn’t my evil. It wasn’t my fault,” Chimaev said in an open training interview with MMA Fighting on Wednesday about not fighting in the US. “Everyone knows I didn’t have a visa to the US, so I didn’t fight once in Abu Dhabi. So now Donald Trump is here, we’re going to fight.”
Of course, UFC CEO Dana White has maintained a very close work and friendship with Trump after first working together to bring the fight to a hotel in Atlantic City over 20 years ago.
Trump has also made many appearances at several UFC events in recent years.
In fact, Trump has announced plans to host a UFC card at the White House in 2026 as part of his planned celebration for America’s 250th birthday. Although details are still together, White says his team at the UFC has already put together the logistics for the historic event, which will be held on the July 4th holiday.
On his part, Chimaev doesn’t believe he will be welcomed with that White House card despite receiving a visa for travel and work in the US
“Look at my face. I don’t think so,” Chimaev said with a smile when asked about his fight at the White House. “They’re going to deport me (to immigration camps, etc. I’ve been training, I’ve put me in a political shit position and broke my visa. I don’t know why. I’m just doing it for my family.
“If someone wants to see me, I’ll never say no. Why should they do that? It puts a lot of athletes in a bad position with this. This wants to bring all people together (take all countries) in a few different ways, but they won’t give me a fight there, but I don’t think so.”
Despite his long-standing relationship with Kadyrov, Chimaev has consistently downplayed his interest in politics, including discourse unfolding in America.
If anything, Chimeh would prefer to move politics away from sports. That’s why he was clearly confused about the UFC, which will be holding an event at the White House first.
“I don’t know why they’re going to fight over there,” Chimaev said. “I don’t know. Why politics is used together in sports? I don’t know.”