Khamzat Chimaev is facing travel issues due to his Russian passport and close ties to a sanctioned Chechen warlord, making it unlikely for him to enter the United States for a possible No. 1 contender clash with Kamaru Usman, leading to speculation that he may instead face 185-pound champion Sean Strickland overseas.
Khamzat Chimaev, a middleweight UFC fighter, is facing a possible No. 1 contender clash with Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. However, there is a major obstacle: Chimaev is currently unable to enter the United States. This raises the question of whether the UFC would book him against 185-pound champion Sean Strickland overseas and risk having a titleholder who cannot enter its home territory.
Chimaev recently announced that he has moved to the United Arab Emirates to help resolve his travel situation. His jiu-jitsu coach, Alan Nascimento, explained that Chimaev does not have a Swedish passport despite living in Sweden for many years. He has a Russian passport, which poses challenges given the current world situation and the ongoing conflicts involving Russia. Nascimento believes that Chimaev’s decision to switch countries was motivated by the difficulties he faced as a Russian citizen trying to travel the world.
Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian athletes, including Chimaev, have encountered issues entering certain countries. Chimaev’s association with Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov further complicates his situation, as Kadyrov has been sanctioned for human rights abuses by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. Nascimento expressed hope that Chimaev’s travel situation will improve, not only for him but also for other athletes in similar circumstances.
Despite the visa and potential citizenship Chimaev is seeking in the UAE, his upcoming fight against Usman takes precedence. Nascimento confirmed that several names were considered as potential opponents, including Marvin Vettori, Jared Cannonier, and even Sean Strickland himself. However, it was Usman who ultimately signed the fight contract. Switching from a striker like Paulo Costa to a wrestler like Usman presents a different challenge for Chimaev, but Nascimento believes that Chimaev has adapted well and is prepared for the fight.
In conclusion, Chimaev’s inability to enter the United States due to his Russian citizenship and association with sanctioned individuals has forced the UFC to consider booking his fights overseas. Chimaev’s move to the UAE provides hope for a resolution to his travel dilemma, and the UFC’s commitment to awarding the winner of his fight against Usman a title shot suggests that they anticipate a solution to the issue. As Chimaev focuses on his upcoming fight, his coach remains confident in his ability to adapt and overcome any challenges he may face in the octagon.