UFC superstar Khamzat Chimaev has credited U.S. President Donald Trump after he secured a visa which allows him to fight in America for the first time in nearly three years ahead of his upcoming middleweight title at UFC 319 in Chicago, Illinois, against Dricus du Plessis. The 31-year-old has a 14-0 MMA record, but he has been unable to fight in the U.S. in the past three years, and his last two fights, wins against Robert Whittaker and Kamaru Usman, have taken place in Abu Dhabi.

According to his coach, Chimaev travels on a Russian passport, which has made travel difficult for the UFC star in recent years. He also has close ties with sanctioned Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, further complicating visa eligibility.

Chimaev will now return this weekend in Chicago on the UFC 319 card for a middleweight title fight against South Africa’s Du Plessis, and President Trump has been credited for helping with the fighter’s visa process. President Trump is a longtime friend of UFC chief Dana White, and the 79-year-old has attended several events over the last few years, including shortly after his Nov. 2024 Presidential election win over former Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris.

“This wasn’t my bad. This wasn’t my fault,” Chimaev said. “Everyone knows I didn’t have the visa to [travel to] the US. That’s why I didn’t fight only once [but twice] in Abu Dhabi. So now Donald Trump is here, we go for a fight.”

UFC’s ties with President Trump is also set to see a super card take place at the White House to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary. However, Chimaev has revealed that he’s not a fan of the idea.

“I don’t understand why they’re going to put the fights over there,” said Chimaev.”I’m an athlete, a sportsman – all my lifeI’ve been training.

“Some people put me in a position like political and break my visa down and I don’t know why. I’m just doing [it] for my family – fighting, training. Athletes don’t have to be with politics. I’m not connected.”

Fighting Chimaev has always been one of Du Plessis’s objectives. He claimed that he even begged to fight him. “He is a special fighter … incredibly good,” Du Plessis told Uncrowned’s “The Ariel Helwani Show.”

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Du Plessis is among the best the UFC offers but still has his fair share of critics. “I don’t care if people say, ‘Dricus isn’t a good champion,’” he explained.

“I’m getting paid, I’m defending the belt, twice, and now a third time. I’ve never had a boring fight. Up until a month ago, I had fought everyone in the top five except Nassourdine Imavov.

“That’s the résumé. I want to fight the best guys, and I wanted the Khamzat fight so bad. I’m getting respect from more people now, but I’m proven, I’m winning. My style is not for everyone, it’s awkward.”