Rising UFC star Khamzat Chimaev has denied rumors that he is unable to compete in the United States. The Chechen fighter has been notably absent from the American octagon for nearly two years, with his last stateside appearance coming at UFC 279 in 2022.
Addressing the speculation, Chimaev revealed that the promotion has made efforts to book him for high-profile events, including the upcoming UFC 300 in Las Vegas. “They got me the visa when they wanted it,” he stated. “Everyone says I was denied a visa. So far, we have not applied for a visa. I was told to wait and fight in Arab countries for now.”
Chimaev’s comments contradict the prevailing theory that his alleged ties to Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov have landed him on a restricted travel list, preventing him from entering the United States. The UFC, it seems, has been able to facilitate the necessary paperwork for the undefeated fighter to compete on American soil when needed.
The promotion’s interest in Chimaev’s participation is understandable, given his meteoric rise and dominant performances inside the octagon. He was even offered a main event opportunity against reigning welterweight champion Leon Edwards at UFC 300, demonstrating the organization’s confidence in his drawing power.
However, Chimaev’s recent struggles with health issues have complicated his schedule. The 29-year-old was forced to withdraw from a planned bout against Robert Whittaker in Saudi Arabia due to a severe illness that required hospitalization.
“My immunity had dropped very much, and we wanted to rest a little bit, for a week,” Chimaev revealed. “I rested and I did not come to my senses… I ended up in the hospital and, to be honest, I had severe headaches.”
Despite these setbacks, Chimaev remains focused on his return to the octagon, with his sights set on a potential appearance at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi this October. The promotion has yet to announce his next opponent, but the undefeated fighter is confident that he has done more than enough to earn a shot at the championship.
