There’s no doubt that Khamzat Chimaev is one of the toughest fighters in the UFC. The saying, ‘tough times create tough men,’ seems to fit him perfectly. From growing up in a war-torn region to moving to a new country, Chimaev has faced countless challenges. Thanks to his hard work and success, he has now obtained a UAE passport and is officially a citizen. However, as some have mocked him for leaving Sweden—the country that provided him shelter—he now denies holding a Swedish passport.
“Borz” has reportedly faced difficulties obtaining a U.S. visa in the past, but with his new UAE citizenship, the rising UFC star could be making his return to America soon. Before that, he addressed major confusion and fan speculation, debunking several misconceptions people had about him and his citizenship.
He said, “I’m grateful to the people who trusted me and gave me the opportunity to both live here and there. Russia is my motherland and I represent the UAE. They always help me during my fights and Abu Dhabi becoming a sporting hub.” When asked about his Swedish citizenship, he debunks it, saying, “I never had a Swedish passport, people think I had but I didn’t and had just residency there.”
Dricus Du Plessis Has A Plan For Khamzat Chimaev
Meanwhile, after beating Sean Strickland at UFC 312, Dricus Du Plessis made it clear—he wanted Chimaev all along. With “Borz” likely next, Du Plessis isn’t shying away from the challenge. Instead of avoiding Chimaev’s wrestling, he’s planning to go straight at it, proving he’s got the skills to hang with the undefeated star.
“Counter the jab, oh no, that was the gameplan for Strickland. Let me just think of something. The blitz, no, (that was) Rob. Yeah, I’ll just out-wrestle him, that’s the game plan,” Chimaev said
With his new UAE citizenship, many fans are eager to see Khamzat Chimaev return to the U.S. and fight in front of American crowds. Whether his passport issues get resolved remains to be seen.
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Also Read: Khamzat Chimaev Doubts Islam Makhachev’s 185 Lbs Move
