‘Will Make This Country Proud’: UFC Star Khamzat Chimaev Expresses Gratitude After Receiving His UAE Passport

Khamzat Chimaev seems to have found a home in the UAE for good. The Chechnya-born fighter officially received his Emirati citizenship — something he described as a great honor. The UFC middleweight contender, who moved to Sweden as an 18-year-old in 2013, wrestled and honed his MMA skills in Stockholm. However, he opted not to take Swedish citizenship and retained his Russian identity.

In the last couple of years, Chimaev has trained and fought most of his bouts in the UAE. And now that citizenship has come along, Chimaev wants to make the country proud.

“It is my honor and privilege to be able to represent this beautiful nation both as an athlete and a citizen. I would like to thank the UAE for its support, and I will do my best to make this country proud of me. Special thanks to His Highness Sheikh @mohamedbinzayed and Sheikh Hamdan for the trust and opportunity,” said the 30-year-old.

Chimaev was, reportedly, denied a visa to the United States, citing his connections with Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov. That situation could change with the UAE backing him now.

As far as the UFC dynamics are concerned, Chimaev has a title fight against the winner of Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis.

But how does the UFC work with a champion who cannot work out of the US? Well, that is for the UFC to sort out. They could stage it in his new “home”.

As far as Chimaev is concerned, 2025 is the year for him to capture middleweight gold.

Unstoppable Chimaev on the march

Chimaev has had his eyes on UFC gold for years now. He has been sidelined primarily due to his bouts with illnesses. But now, with improved training methods, ‘Borz’ insists those struggles are behind him. He’s healthier than ever and fully prepared to claim his shot at the belt.

If his dominant victory over former champion Robert Whittaker is anything to go by, Chimaev is more than ready to compete at the highest level. Following his win over Whittaker, the prevalent fight sports norm dictated that he be handed the title shot. Even middleweight champion Du Plessis urged the UFC for the bout.

However, the UFC went in the direction of a rematch between Du Plessis and Strickland. But it’s just one more stop till destiny knocks on Chimaev’s door. UFC President Dana White has even claimed that he wants to bring Chimaev to the USA in 2025 for the title fight.

As of now, fans can just wait for UFC 312 on 9th February. Hopefully, Strickland and Du Plessis will put on a show to prove they are prepared for the storm Chimaev is known to bring into the octagon every single time.