Why Was Khamzat Chimaev Not Allowed in the US? VISA Issues & More

Khamzat Chimaev will fight middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis in the UFC 319 main event on August 16, 2025, at Chicago’s United Center. Both are 31 and undefeated in the UFC, with Chimaev 8-0 in the promotion (14-0 overall) and Du Plessis 9-0 with one title defense.

They promise a high-octane duel of wrestling strength, knockout potential, and submission threats. But despite the stakes, many fans are asking a different question: Why has it taken ‘Borz’ more than two years to compete in the United States again? Well, let’s find out!

Was Khamzat Chimaev banned in the US? Why?

In recent years, there have been speculations over Khamzat Chimaev’s ability to compete in the United States. The UFC reportedly considered him for UFC 300, but plans fell through due to visa issues. In 2023, his jiu-jitsu coach Alan Nascimento revealed ‘Borz’ was having “difficulties entering the United States.”

This caused the fighter to relocate to the UAE, obtain a 10-year visa, and pursue local citizenship to ease travel. Nascimento cited major travel issues faced by the Russian, Chechen, and Dagestani athletes following political tensions. Despite this, Chimaev denies being barred. Speaking to CBS Sports ahead of UFC 308, he stated, “I’ve been to the US and can come to the US… A lot of things happened with being sick and surgeries.”

He explained that recent fights in Abu Dhabi were primarily about proximity and convenience, not restrictions. In another interview, when asked if he could fight in the U.S., his response was simple: “Of course.” While his public ties to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov have sparked controversy online, with fans frequently identifying them as the main cause of the alleged visa issues, there has been no official confirmation of a ban.

Whether due to politics, paperwork, or personal inclination, UFC 319 marks his comeback to US competition after more than two years.

Has Khamzat Chimaev fought in the US before UFC 319?

Yes, and successfully. Khamzat Chimaev made his UFC debut in July 2020, winning three fights in 66 days, including a 17-second knockout of Gerald Meerschaert, which set a new record for the fastest three-fight winning streak in modern UFC history.

He then went on to defeat Li Jingliang (submission, UFC 267), Gilbert Burns (decision, UFC 273), and Kevin Holland (submission, UFC 279) in the United States, earning numerous performance bonuses along the way. Across middleweight and welterweight bouts, his U.S. record remains perfect, with finishes in nearly every fight.

Despite a COVID-interrupted schedule in late 2020 and 2021, he has routinely produced decisive results when competing on American soil. That background makes UFC 319 less of a debut and more of a high-stakes continuation, with ‘Borz’ having the opportunity to win gold against Dricus Du Plessis in a country where he’s already known for ending bouts quickly and leaving little doubt.