Report: UFC star Khamzat Chimaev still can’t enter U.S. because of Ramzan Kadyrov connection

It was impossible.

Khamzat Chimaev is currently unable to enter the United States, and his connection to sanctioned Chechen leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, is looking like the main issue.

Chimaev’s name came up several times during UFC 300 headliner talks, but “Borz” was unable to participate because of the event’s proximity (April 13, 2024) to Ramadan. There’s also the question of whether UFC could even get him to Las Vegas, Nevada, with the current political backdrop. Back in Oct. 2023, one of Khamzat’s coaches revealed that the Middleweight was having visa difficulties because of his Chechen nationality and Russian passport.

That was seemingly the reason he emigrated to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Not mentioned by the coach was Chimaev’s close relationship with the controversial Chechen leader. In Dec. 2020, the U.S. State Department sanctioned Kadyrov over multiple human rights abuses, including torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions. Further rounds of sanctions and visa restrictions targeting Kadyrov associates were announced after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. They specifically named Kadyrov’s mixed martial arts (MMA) promotions and fight teams as providing him with, “pride and profit.”

Now, The Guardian and Bloody Elbow’s Karim Zidan have confirmed that Khamzat’s issues are bigger than just a Russian passport.

“Multiple sources familiar with the matter, speaking to Sports Politika on the condition of anonymity, suggested that the UFC fighter’s visa troubles stem, at least partially, from his association with the dictator,” Zidan wrote on his Substack.

To give you some perspective on how strict the United States government can be when it comes to refusing people entry, boxer Tyson Fury is currently unable to enter the country after he posed for a photo with Daniel Kinahan, leader Ireland’s Kinahan drug cartel. Not only is Tyson barred, but his little brother Tommy Fury is barred, too — a fact the younger Fury only discovered when he tried to fight Jake Paul in New York.

It’s cost the Fury’s untold millions.

As a result, Tyson Fury distanced himself from Kinahan after the United States government sanctioned the drug lord and put a $5 million bounty on his head. But, a subsequent social media photo of the two together in Dubai was enough to result in a ban extending even to his relatives.

Now, imagine what the same government might think of Chimaev’s continued support of Kadyrov. The two train together, and Chimaev trains Kadyrov’s sons. Kadyrov has gifted “Borz” cars, houses and attended his wedding. After Khamzat won his last fight at UFC 294, the two traveled together on Kadyrov’s private jet.

It’s not the kind of association the State Department is willing to overlook, especially given the state of the Russia / Ukraine war.

So, we wouldn’t get our hopes up on seeing Chimaev stateside anytime soon. Fortunately for his fans, UFC is an international promotion with semi-regular events in the Middle East. He could still be booked on Saudi Arabia’s June card, or at Abu Dhabi’s October event. But, would UFC be willing to give him a shot at championship gold under such restrictive circumstances?

Quality over quantity.

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