Chimaev Thanks Trump After Visa Clearance for UFC Return to U.S.

Khamzat Chimaev has acknowledged U.S. President Donald Trump’s influence in helping him secure a visa to fight in the United States for the first time since 2022, Sport360NG reports.

The Russian-born middleweight, unbeaten in his professional career with 14 victories, has not competed on U.S. soil in nearly three years, with his last two appearances taking place in Abu Dhabi. Although he previously denied that visa issues were to blame, Chimaev has now confirmed that travel restrictions had kept him out of the country.

Chimaev has been publicly linked to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a controversial figure under U.S. sanctions for alleged human rights violations. The 31-year-old has appeared in multiple photos with Kadyrov on social media, raising questions about his eligibility for entry into the U.S.

Now cleared to return, Chimaev is scheduled to face South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 319 in Chicago on 16 August.

“This wasn’t my fault,” Chimaev said. “Everyone knows I didn’t have the visa for the U.S. That’s why I fought in Abu Dhabi twice. Now that Donald Trump is here, we go for a fight.”

Trump, a long-time ally of UFC president Dana White, has remained closely tied to the promotion. He was a prominent figure during White’s campaign support in the 2024 presidential election and recently announced plans to host a UFC event at the White House next year as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

Despite returning to compete in the U.S., Chimaev dismissed any expectation of being involved in such a high-profile event, emphasizing his desire to remain outside political matters.

“I don’t understand why they want to host fights there,” he said. “I’m an athlete. I’ve been training all my life. Some people put me in a political position and blocked my visa, I don’t know why. I’m just fighting to support my family. Athletes shouldn’t be involved in politics. I’m not connected.”

Du Plessis will be defending his title for the third time, while Chimaev steps into the Octagon for the first time since his submission win over Robert Whittaker in October 2024. His career momentum has been hampered by health issues and long stretches of inactivity.

Chimaev last fought in the U.S. in 2022, when he submitted Kevin Holland. Since then, he has fought only twice, beating Kamaru Usman in 2023 and Whittaker 10 months later, leaving fans eager to see if he can finally claim UFC gold.