Donald Trump is friends with Dana White and a longtime supporter of UFC.
That’s why middleweight titler contender, Khamzat Chimaev, is hoping for an election victory when voters return to the polls later this year. With Trump as U.S. President, there’s a good chance “Borz” can reclaim his stateside visa.
“As long as Donald Trump is not the president [of the United States] we can’t come back to the U.S.,” Chimaev told Adam Zuba. “Maybe that’s the reason. Let’s not cover the truth.”
“But I’m not upset. Whenever they let me fight I will fight. Whenever I get the belt let it be and even if I don’t get the belt, I will still be the champion without the belt.”
Khamzat Chimaev, 30, has not competed on U.S. soil since his submission victory over Kevin Holland at UFC 279 back in late 2022.
Khamzat Chimaev (hopefully) returns to action at UFC 308
Chimaev is scheduled to return to the Octagon on October 26 at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi where he will meet Robert Whittaker in a rescheduled showdown.
Dana White has already confirmed that Sean Strickland will receive the next shot at reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, though it’s possible that an especially impressive showing from either fighter, more so Chimaev, could disrupt those plans and force ‘Tarzan’ to sit on the sidelines a bit longer.