UFC sensation Khamzat Chimaev is set to make his highly anticipated return to the octagon this weekend at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.
Chimaev, aka Borz, will face former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the co-main event, a bout that could determine the next contender for the middleweight title.
In the lead-up to his comeback, Chimaev has addressed persistent rumors suggesting he is barred from fighting in the United States due to a travel ban. These rumors gained traction following a 2023 interview with MMA Fighting, where Jiu-Jitsu coach Alan Nascimento mentioned Chimaev’s difficulties entering the U.S., allegedly due to his association with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.
However, in a recent interview on YouTube, Khamzat Chimaev dismissed these claims, asserting his ability to travel and compete in the U.S. “I don’t think so, people say a lot of different s*** things… I’ve been to the US and can come to the US, but a lot of s*** things happen in my life with being sick and surgeries, you know,” Chimaev explained. He attributed his absence from the octagon to health issues rather than travel restrictions.
Chimaev further elaborated on his travel history, stating, “I’ve been to England, the UK, I’ve been to the US and I’m going to go to Australia soon around December so it can be anywhere.” He expressed confusion over the rumors, adding, “I don’t know who has a problem with me, the people say a lot of different things, I don’t know.”
The upcoming fight against Whittaker at UFC 308 is crucial for Khamzat Chimaev, as it will likely determine the next challenger for the middleweight title. Current champion Dricus Du Plessis is expected to rematch Sean Strickland next year, as confirmed by UFC President Dana White. The winner of the Chimaev-Whittaker bout will have a strong case to face the victor of Du Plessis-Strickland 2.