Rumored Team Chimaev tells Russian media they're awaiting a UFC decision - willing to return for UFC 312

[TheMMAnalyst]

I'm not sure u know how these things work..

Explain it to me then oh wise one.

 

[Petarito]

I think everything hinges on whether they can get Khamzhat a VISA to fight outside of UAE/Saudi based on his links to Kadyrov.

Now that Trump won I bet they can get him one to fight in the US if they want starting next February, so their options just opened up tremendously, but not sure if he can get into Australia or other places in Europe still.

He has a swedish passport
He can fight anywhere in Europe..perhaps except UK

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

He has a swedish passport
He can fight anywhere in Europe..perhaps except UK

6 of his last 9 fights in Abu Dhabi (other 3 in the US).

Pretty evident where his fan base is and where they want to use him though.

 

[TR1]

Chimaev shouldn't be allowed to train in Russia/Chechnya. It's a joke. I highly doubt the UFC drug testers can go there safely, and he was training with the Russian olympic athletes that are notorious for doping.

Yeah unlike top US MMA gyms, which are world famous for their clean athletes.

 

[Alpha_T83]

Yeah unlike top US MMA gyms, which are world famous for their clean athletes.

Better than Russia.

 

[Iroh]

despite Sean's refusal to fight outside of Las Vegas.

Does he also not want to fight anywhere else in the states?

 

[octagonation]

6 of his last 9 fights in Abu Dhabi (other 3 in the US).

Pretty evident where his fan base is and where they want to use him though.

Chimaev will be in Australia for about 2 weeks from now in December for fan tour. He has seminars booked there. Chimaev can travel to anywhere all that rumors is baseless him and Dana have both denied it

 

[octagonation]

Does he also not want to fight anywhere else in the states?

Strickland should try more Abu Dhabi or the Saudi cards as there are zero taxes there

 

[PattyBates]

Better than Russia.

Boogie woogie man

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

Chimaev will be in Australia for about 2 weeks from now in December for fan tour. He has seminars booked there. Chimaev can travel to anywhere all that rumors is baseless him and Dana have both denied it

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

“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.

(this was from February 2024 and Karim Zidan typically has pretty good sources)

Coach explains Khamzat Chimaev’s travel issues, move to UAE

“The thing is, Chimaev doesn’t have Swedish passport,” Nascimento said. “He’s not a Swedish citizen. He never was. He has a Russian passport. With this situation going on, the war, it’s hard for anyone to travel around the world with a Russian passport. Especially for a Chechen.

“I won’t go into details, but anyone who knows the story and is following what’s going on in the world knows that everybody is trying to corner Russia with sanctions. He’s living that. That’s one of the reasons why he chose to leave Sweden. Like, ‘I fight for the country, I live there since I was a teenager and pay taxes, and I always apply for a citizenship, but never get it.’”

“[Chimaev] just got a 10-year visa in Abu Dhabi and will apply for a type of passport here in the U.A.E., something like a citizenship, that could be used for travels,” Nascimento said. “Many Russian athletes are suffering with that. Chechens, Dagestani, Russians in general. But I think things will start to flow for Chimaev soon, and for other athletes too.”

(this was from October of 2023 and directly from his coach)

******

So it would appear that by getting UAE citizenship is what's allowed him to now be able to effectively travel.

Glad to hear it's all resolved though and he can fight wherever he wants/is needed - I still see him being used primarily on UAE/Saudi cards because they want Muslim stars to headline their events and there are only so many currently (Islam/Khamzhat/Umar).

 

[octagonation]

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

“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.

(this was from February 2024 and Karim Zidan typically has pretty good sources)

Coach explains Khamzat Chimaev’s travel issues, move to UAE

“The thing is, Chimaev doesn’t have Swedish passport,” Nascimento said. “He’s not a Swedish citizen. He never was. He has a Russian passport. With this situation going on, the war, it’s hard for anyone to travel around the world with a Russian passport. Especially for a Chechen.

“I won’t go into details, but anyone who knows the story and is following what’s going on in the world knows that everybody is trying to corner Russia with sanctions. He’s living that. That’s one of the reasons why he chose to leave Sweden. Like, ‘I fight for the country, I live there since I was a teenager and pay taxes, and I always apply for a citizenship, but never get it.’”

“[Chimaev] just got a 10-year visa in Abu Dhabi and will apply for a type of passport here in the U.A.E., something like a citizenship, that could be used for travels,” Nascimento said. “Many Russian athletes are suffering with that. Chechens, Dagestani, Russians in general. But I think things will start to flow for Chimaev soon, and for other athletes too.”

(this was from October of 2023 and directly from his coach)

******

So it would appear that by getting UAE citizenship is what's allowed him to now be able to effectively travel.

Glad to hear it's all resolved though and he can fight wherever he wants/is needed - I still see him being used primarily on UAE/Saudi cards because they want Muslim stars to headline their events and there are only so many currently (Islam/Khamzhat/Umar).

He has no sources at all bro.. This is just believe me bro article! Who would know better then Khamzat and Dana? The answer is nobody.

That guy will invent anything

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

He has no sources at all bro.. This is just believe me bro article! Who would know better then Khamzat and Dana? The answer is nobody.

That guy will invent anything

Why would a well-respected journalist reveal his sources when it comes to such a touchy subject? He's got absolutely no reason to lie and make this shit up, so your logic and claims don't really make sense.

And you actually believe what Dana has to say?



The second article is a direct quote from Khamzhat's coach, he literally said Khamzhat moved to the UAE to get citizenship to help with his travel situation, so how do you spin that?

 

[josh345]

I hope everything comes through for Khamzat because watching a split decision rematch is the worst way to waste DDP's time. Strickland couldn't even get a unanimous decision against Costa. Let Strickland earn his shot or if DDP loses he can get his rematch after that.

That costs fight was easily 49-46 Strickland or 50-45 if I remember right. But yeah I want to see khamzat smesh DDP. Definitely don't want the boring DDP v Strickland rematch. The first one was boring

 

[Tweak896]

That costs fight was easily 49-46 Strickland or 50-45 if I remember right. But yeah I want to see khamzat smesh DDP. Definitely don't want the boring DDP v Strickland rematch. The first one was boring

Still a split on record. I don't remember Costa doing much either, but Sean's style seems to keep giving him split decision fights. Thought Sean beat Cannonier too.

Either way, it's criminal to give a point fighter with a mixed record another title shot with just 1 win over an undefeated fighter that is running over everyone and beat 2 former champs in a row that were still well regarded.

Imagine if Strickland won a close fight, they would push for a 3rd trilogy and you have plenty of contenders lined up right now.

 

[octagonation]

Why would a well-respected journalist reveal his sources when it comes to such a touchy subject? He's got absolutely no reason to lie and make this shit up, so your logic and claims don't really make sense.

And you actually believe what Dana has to say?



The second article is a direct quote from Khamzhat's coach, he literally said Khamzhat moved to the UAE to get citizenship to help with his travel situation, so how do you spin that?

A qoute that was ages ago besides why would Khamzat and Dana lie.. I mean what is there to gain from that! If it was the opposite they would have been shouting from every top three but that is just not the case really.. Some Detractors spread that thinking they were onto something but apparently not. Chimaev was in the US like a year ago rolling with Neil Magny in his gym in New York, he was in the UK and france weeks before UFC 308 and will be in Australia in december

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

A qoute that was ages ago besides why would Khamzat and Dana lie.. I mean what is there to gain from that! If it was the opposite they would have been shouting from every top three but that is just not the case really.. Some Detractors spread that thinking they were onto something but apparently not. Chimaev was in the US like a year ago rolling with Neil Magny in his gym in New York, he was in the UK and france weeks before UFC 308 and will be in Australia in december

They would lie to make it seem like he doesn’t have radioactive ties to a war criminal dictator (which he does).

There also is a difference between obtaining a travel visa and obtaining a work visa. It sounds like he could get one but not the other if he was traveling but not technically working.

When’s the last time he fought/worked in the US? September 2022, over 2 years ago, over a year before these articles came out.

Regardless, if it’s resolved I’m happy for him.

 

[octagonation]

They would lie to make it seem like he doesn’t have radioactive ties to a war criminal dictator (which he does).

There also is a difference between obtaining a travel visa and obtaining a work visa. It sounds like he could get one but not the other if he was traveling but not technically working.

When’s the last time he fought/worked in the US? September 2022, over 2 years ago, over a year before these articles came out.

Regardless, if it’s resolved I’m happy for him.

I don´t think they are in the business of hiding stuff everything is public welcome to the social media age because they just don´t give a fuk. Besides there is nothing to gain from saying otherwise it is what it is

 

[Greyscale]

No one should agree to fighting him in UAE/Agrabah/Saudi Arabia/Yemen/Afghanistan.

He will not make weight, the rules will be changed to accommodate him on the fly, he will not have to pass PED control and won't have a theoretical chance of losing a decision.

 

['Suga Daddy']

I don´t think they are in the business of hiding stuff everything is public welcome to the social media age because they just don´t give a fuk. Besides there is nothing to gain from saying otherwise it is what it is

There absolutely is something to gain, what are you talking about? There’s clearly work visa issues with Chimaev and the US. However, they’re going to be cleared now that Trump is in office, he’ll fight in the US in 2025.

 

[nonoob]

Makes sense, I don't know why Strickland thought he was in a position to dictate terms lol. Why is he so hesitant to fight in Australia?

1. Taxes are astronomical.
2. They got violent snake & spider cartels.