“Time goes so fast, I lost track of years already.” Sounds like something straight out of a nostalgic documentary, right? Like some retired legend looking back on the good old days. Well, not quite. Those words come from a fighter in his prime, reminiscing about his long-time friendship with Khamzat Chimaev. Hard to believe? Maybe. But considering the wild ride Chimaev has been on, it’s not that surprising.

Now, it all makes sense why the Russian took to Instagram, sharing a poster of Guram Kutateladze and Kaue Fernandes while storied “@GURAM DZE 🦾” in support ahead of UFC Fight Night 254. The two have been through thick and thin, from intense sparring sessions that nearly turned into brawls to crashing at the gym like a pair of broke college roommates. This isn’t just a casual ‘good luck’ post. It’s brotherhood on display.

“We met in the gym at the sparring session for the first time. At that time, he was not that big like nowadays. We slept in the gym together, we ate together, trained together, and after, we became very naturally brotherly,” Kutateladze shared with James Lynch.

Now, that’s some Hollywood-level backstory right there. Imagine two fighters going from trying to knock each other’s heads off to sharing meals like a pair of sitcom roommates. But, while both debuted in the UFC in 2020, their paths took very different turns. Chimaev skyrocketed up the welterweight rankings, remained undefeated, and became one of the most talked-about fighters in MMA. Kutateladze, on the other hand, has had a rockier road. Yet, despite their different trajectories, their bond has remained solid.

However, the ‘Georgian Viking’ does not doubt that Khamzat Chimaev will one day wear UFC gold around his waist. He’s seen the work ethic, the drive, and the sheer dominance that ‘Borz’ brings to the Octagon. “Yes, definitely (he’ll be UFC middleweight champion). Hopefully, God gonna be with him and on his side and keep him healthy, which is the most important thing. Everything else, he gonna do it by himself. He gonna manage it,” Kutateladze stated with confidence.

While the faith in Chimaev’s rise is strong, there’s another battle brewing outside the cage. Why hasn’t ‘Borz’ fought in the United States in years? And what is the key to unlocking his return to the land of the free, home of the brave?

What’s the deal with Khamzat Chimaev’s U.S roadblock?

While the #3 contender has been busy making waves, there’s one question that keeps popping up, why hasn’t he been fighting in the US? UFC CEO Dana White himself addressed the issue, brushing off the rumors with a classic “Don’t listen to any of that bull****. He’ll get in the United States.” Oh, Dana—ever the optimist.

But here’s where things get interesting. Some say it’s health issues, others blame travel restrictions linked to geopolitics (yes, really), and a few even suggest that Chimaev’s ties to certain powerful figures might be making things complicated. However, there’s a wildcard in play—Donald Trump.

Guram Kutateladze assured last year that if Trump makes his grand return to the White House, Chimaev’s US fight dreams could become a reality. “Trump becoming the president is good for the UFC and all UFC fighters. Hopefully, we’re gonna see him in the U.S., and he’s gonna fight for the belt. Actually, wherever in the world, but I think it’s gonna be soon.” Well, Trump is back, so does that mean the tides are finally turning for the Russian?

Of course, not everyone is buying into the ‘travel ban’ theory. MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has a different take. According to him, Chimaev’s real issue isn’t politics, it’s simply whether he can make weight and stay healthy. “A bigger question is, can he get to the match? And I would have to think yes. I would not think somebody could be named a No. 1 contender if there was an intent to make good on that,” Sonnen remarked.

And just to add another twist to the story, Chimaev himself chimed in, shutting down rumors about any US travel ban. “I’ve been in the U.S., and I can come to the U.S. But a lot of sh** things have happened in my life. Being sick, having surgeries, so that’s why I’ve (not) been fighting (there) like before.”

So, what do we believe? Is Chimaev really being kept out of the U.S., or is it all just smoke and mirrors? And more importantly, will we see him in London, backing Guram from the corner? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!