“I don’t think so. People say a lot of different s–t things… I’ve been to the US, and I can go there again. But a lot of s–t things happened in my life being sick, surgeries, you know. Abu Dhabi being close to me, I just jump in and fight here. So I’ve been in England. I’ve been in U.K., U.S., and been I’m gonna go for Australia soon in December, [I] can be anywhere. So I don’t know who has the problem with me. The people says a lot of different things. So I don’t know.” Khamzat Chimaev revealed to Shak MMA last year, shutting down his alleged travel ban rumors in the US.

However, this doesn’t change the fact that the undefeated 185lbs juggernaut hasn’t set foot on American soil since UFC 279 and that absence has kept fans talking. In fact, ‘Borz’ only has had two bouts since with both the encounters taking place in Abu Dhabi with UFC 294 and UFC 308. But now, with International Fight Week fast approaching and a potential title shot against Dricus Du Plessis is going to be on the line, Dana White is giving nothing but green lights. Getting Chimaev to fight in the U.S. has been a bit of a challenge for the promotion in the past.

There’s a mix of issues surrounding him mostly tied to visa complications that have kept him out of American events. There has been a clip of the Chechnya native claiming that he had struggles in securing a U.S visa, Moreover, Chimaev said this in September last year. “As long as Donald Trump is not the president we can’t come back to the U.S. Maybe that’s the reason. Let’s not cover the truth.” But now with Trump in power and Chimaev becoming an official citizen of the United Arab Emirates earlier this year, the likelihood of the undefeated storm competing in the United States and for the middleweight title has increased tenfold.

Moreover, Dana White told reporters after UFC Saudi Arabia, “Don’t listen to any of that bulls–t,” the UFC CEO responded to a question regarding Chimaev struggling to enter the USA. “He’ll get in the United States. I’m very confident that we can get him into the country.” And this tide can finally turn for the T-Mobile Arena at UFC 317 on June 28 later this year. Although there hasn’t been any official announcement regarding this showdown, the head honcho did give us something to be excited about. When asked about the headliner for the esteemed IFW event at the UFC 314 post-fight presser, the Bossman cheekily said, “That would be fun… Tuesday!”

The 185-pound powerhouse, Dricus Du Plessis, has shown interest in this fight from the very start. He’s made it crystal clear that Khamzat Chimaev is the opponent he wants next, and nothing would satisfy him more than securing that win. After dismantling Sean Strickland at UFC 312, the champ didn’t hold back. “I’ll see you when I see you. I hope we can make it happen at International Fight Week,” Du Plessis told FullSend MMA, planting the seeds for what could turn into a blockbuster title clash.

Many prominent voices in the UFC believe Chimaev could be the toughest and most exciting challenge yet for the South African. Among them is UFC welterweight and analyst Michael Chiesa, who sees the timing as spot-on. He believes the stars are aligning perfectly for these two to headline International Fight Week!

Michael Chiesa thinks Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev is the most logical fight for UFC 317

While it’s becoming increasingly clear that the UFC is leaning toward making this super fight happen and it could easily evolve into a personal grudge match. However, not everyone sees it as the most logical next step. Some voices in the MMA world are pointing to Nassourdine Imavov, who’s waiting in the wings after launching Israel Adesanya into the stratosphere.

On top of that, critics note that Chimaev technically only has one win at middleweight, and they argue he should take another fight in the division before getting a crack at the title. Enter Michael Chiesa, who believes this fight makes the most sense right now. He also acknowledges Chimaev’s past issues with securing a U.S. visa, but if that obstacle is finally out of the way, Chiesa wants to see ‘Borz’ go straight to a title shot, and no tune-up fights before.

Chiesa told MMA Junkie, “It makes sense timeline-wise. Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev is a very, very worthy fight of International Fight Week. Obviously Chimaev in the past has had issues with injuries, withdrawals and he hasn’t fought in the United States for a while. I don’t know if there’s any reason for that, but I think right off the top of my head that’s the best fight you could put together with guys that are available. We don’t have to wait for any variables of, ‘He has to get through this person or that person.’ I think for me, that’s a logical fight that sticks out to me.”

What do you think about Dana White and his tease for the UFC 317 main event? Please comment below.