UFC middleweight star Robert Whittaker has brushed off Khamzat Chimaev’s recent callout, questioning the Chechen star’s ability to travel to various countries. In a recent interview, Whittaker addressed Chimaev’s “see you soon” remark, stating, “Like, where? You can’t get into any country, bro.”
Chimaev, who was set to face Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia, has been facing travel difficulties due to the ongoing sanctions imposed on his backer. Chimaev’s close ties to Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov have only exacerbated the issue, as Kadyrov and his MMA entities have been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Whittaker, who competes in the middleweight division, acknowledged the challenges Chimaev is facing. “Middle East, that’s it. When I’m in the area, right? It’s so, yeah, that’s tricky to start with, but mate, I’m a middleweight and I don’t pick my fights,” Whittaker said.
Chimaev’s jiu-jitsu coach, Alan Nascimento, recently revealed that the star has obtained a 10-year visa in Abu Dhabi and is applying for a form of citizenship that would allow him to travel more freely. However, Nascimento also acknowledged the broader impact of the sanctions on Russian athletes, stating, “Many Russian athletes are suffering with that. Chechens, Dagestani, Russians in general.”
Interestingly, as we write this, Shara Magomedov is en route to play a villain in a Hollywood movie. Magomedov clearly acquired the US visa despite his troubling history and Dagestani origins. However he has another hill to climb with Dana White confirming US SAC would not approve him to compete there due to his eye condition.
Whittaker’s comments suggest that he is aware of the logistical hurdles Chimaev faces in terms of travel, but he remains focused on his own division and is not actively pursuing a rebooking with the Chechen. “If that’s a fight that you actually wants and still are interested in making and, you know, they want me to, it’s what I do,” Whittaker told From the stands.
