It seems like Khamzat Chimaev is continuing his streak of not fighting in the United States. Borz last competed in the United States in September 2022, achieving a submission victory over Kevin Holland. Since then, he has been booked for fights that are taking place outside US soil. As a result, there have been multiple reports on Chimaev’s visa status.

According to several, he cannot enter the country due to his friendship with Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov. Even Chimaev earlier claimed that he wished Donald Trump won the election since he could help Borz get his US visa. So is Chimaev actually being restricted from visiting the US? Well, we finally have an answer, and it has been provided by none other than Chael Sonnen.

In his recent video, Sonnen finally answered the big mystery, and it seems like the answer is yes. Sonnen revealed that he was at the UFC performance institute in Las Vegas, where he had a word with Chimaev’s manager. So when asked about the situation, the manager simply refuted the claims, and to make things even better, Sonnen then met Borz, as Chimaev was in Vegas and at the performance institute.

Sonnen revealed, “The manager says to me, “No, it’s not true, and I know that’s going around.” So then the manager and I, together, like with you as the audience, say, “Well, let’s ask another guy.” And we turn it to another guy, and it was Chimaev. He was standing right there when all of these rumors were out.” He further added that not every claim is worth believing. And it is not upon Borz to debunk every claim. “Chimaev is not going to be pulled into jumping up and answering everything that he’s asked or setting every record straight or getting his feelings hurt because there’s a rumor.”

But why did Chimaev tell Adam Zuba that “As long as Donald Trump is not the president [of the United States], we can’t come back to the U.S.?” This will remain a major mystery. Maybe given Trump’s affinity with the UFC will earn the fighter leniency in access to the nation.

Borz has been out of the cage since winning by majority decision over Kamaru Usman last October. Then, the middleweight contender was scheduled to face Robert Whittaker in Saudi Arabia last month. However, Khamzat Chimaev withdrew from the fight due to illness just a week before fight night. But shortly after the fight was canceled, Dana White revealed that the Chechen would likely return to the cage in October in Abu Dhabi. Chimaev later confirmed that rumors of a fall comeback were completely true. Now he has been booked to face Whittaker at UFC 308, yet, this event too takes place outside the US. Something that may still make many question Sonnen’s claims.

It might also be notable that Borz himself revealed in an earlier interview that he had faced no issues with his visa, despite the swirling rumors.

When Khamzat Chimaev responded to the visa rumors

In an interview with Aslanbek Badaev, ‘Borz’ denied the rumor that he would not be able to fight in the United States. He also confirmed that he was offered to fight Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 300 in April. However, the fight did not materialize. “Of course (the UFC can help with any visa issues), they can,” Khamzat Chimaev said in the interview.

“They did it last time; they got me a visa when they wanted it. Everyone says that I was denied, but so far we have not requested it,” he further revealed. And when the situation arises, it is conceivable that the promotion tries its level best to provide him with all the help necessary. And that’s not all as he also stated that these rumors or his current status in the promotion has not been able to pull him down mentally. Borz further ascertained that he could be a champion, even without a belt!

Well, for now, he would be looking to get his hands on it anyway after he rises up the ranks by defeating Whittaker in Abu Dhabi. What do you think? Do you believe Borz should be fighting in the US to prove otherwise? Let us know in the comments.