UFC 308’s co-main event star Khamzat Chimaev has finally addressed the swirling rumors about his U.S. travel status. The undefeated Chechen phenom has been making waves in the UFC’s middleweight division since his debut. But, his absence from American soil over the past couple of years sparked widespread speculation among fight fans and media alike.
In a recent sit-down with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Chimaev couldn’t help but chuckle at the rumors. The fighter explained that his absence from U.S. events stemmed from a combination of health issues and surgeries and not a ban of any sort.
“I’ve been in the US and can come to the US, but a lot of sh*t things happen in my life. Being sick, surgeries, so that’s why I’ve [not] been fighting like before.”
It’s worth noting that Khamzat Chimaev’s career has indeed been marked by several medical setbacks, including a severe bout with COVID-19 that nearly ended his fighting career. The story of his alleged ban to the U.S. began circulating in 2022 when reports suggested his U.S. visa had been revoked. Many believed his alleged connections to Chechen political figures, especially Ramzan Kadyrov, had caused the travel restrictions.
Khamzat Chimaev is preparing for his upcoming battle against former champion Robert Whittaker. Coming off a unanimous decision win over Kamaru Usman in Abu Dhabi, Chimaev seems more focused than ever.
Khamzat Chimaev Rates Belal Muhammad Above Shavkat Rakhmonov
The undefeated phenomenon Chimaev stirred the pot with his surprising fighter ratings. While most fighters tend to dodge these potentially controversial discussions, ‘Borz’ jumped right in with his characteristic boldness.
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During a candid segment with TNT Sports, Khamzat Chimaev didn’t hesitate to share his thoughts on the upcoming UFC 310 welterweight title showdown. The Chechen warrior handed current champion Belal Muhammad a perfect 10/10 score. He, however, rated the finisher Shavkat Rakhmonov a notch lower at 9/10.
The timing of these ratings adds an extra layer of spice to the upcoming December championship bout. Muhammad and Rakhmonov are set to throw down at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. This promises to be a fight of the highest level. Whether Khamzat Chimaev’s ranking holds remains to be seen.
Also Read: Khamzat Chimaev Details Frustrating Health Problems, Forcing Him To Ultimately Pull Out
