Khamzat Chimaev Shares Brutally Honest Reaction to Dricus du Plessis’ UFC 312 Win.
Khamzat Chimaev did not hold back in his assessment of the UFC 312 middleweight title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland.
The undefeated ‘Borz’ watched the action from home as du Plessis dominated Strickland, breaking his nose and securing a one-sided unanimous decision victory to retain his middleweight title at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday morning (local time). With this victory, du Plessis improved to 2-0 against the American, as he now turns his attention to finding new challengers for his 185lb reign.
After the fight, UFC President Dana White confirmed that Chimaev would be the next in line to face du Plessis. The Russian fighter wasted no time reacting to the South African’s victory.
The fight itself wasn’t particularly thrilling until a broken nose added some drama. Despite Strickland’s impressive effort to pop his nose back into place, he could not generate any significant offense. Ultimately, Strickland suffered a unanimous decision loss, with judges scoring the bout 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46 in favor of du Plessis.
As the decision was announced, Chimaev took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share his thoughts on the fight, offering a harsh critique of both competitors.
“Biggest bulls— is this fight,” the undefeated 14-0 UFC star tweeted. He followed this post with another message, directed specifically at du Plessis, tagging him alongside a picture of himself glaring at the camera with a devil emoji.
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) February 8, 2025
Can Khamzat Chimaev Fight in the US?
Khamzat Chimaev’s relationship with the Chechen government, specifically his ties to Ramzan Kadyrov, has raised serious questions regarding his ability to secure a U.S. visa to fight in the UFC. Kadyrov, the head of the Chechen Republic, is known for his controversial and authoritarian leadership style, including widespread allegations of human rights abuses. These actions have led to U.S. sanctions being imposed on Kadyrov and others in his inner circle.
Chimaev, who hails from the Chechen Republic, has been vocal about his admiration for Kadyrov, who is also a supporter of mixed martial arts and a patron of local fighters. However, these associations have placed Chimaev in a precarious position when it comes to traveling to the United States.
The U.S. government’s sanctions against Kadyrov and his allies complicate Chimaev’s ability to enter the country, as his visa applications could be impacted by his connection to the sanctioned figure. Over the years, there have been rumors that Chimaev has faced significant hurdles in obtaining a U.S. visa, which could prevent him from participating in high-profile events hosted in the U.S.
Despite these obstacles, UFC President Dana White has assured fans and fighters alike that Chimaev will be able to compete in the United States. White expressed confidence that Chimaev’s relocation to the United Arab Emirates would help resolve any issues with travel, indicating that there is still hope for the rising star to headline major UFC events in the U.S. in the future.
“Don’t listen to any of that bulls—,” White said when asked about potential travel issues for Chimaev. “He’ll get in the United States. I’m very confident that we can get him into the country.”
Given the circumstances, it’s possible that when Chimaev finally faces du Plessis, it could headline a major UFC event in the United States, the fight capital of the world. While it remains to be seen exactly when and where this highly anticipated clash will take place, it’s looking likely that the matchup could happen sometime in 2025.
When is Khamzat Chimaevs Next Fight?
According to Chimaev himself, he’s got his sights set on the winner of the UFC 312 clash. In an interview with MMA YouTuber Aslanbek Badaev, Chimaev stated, “After the Strickland vs. Du Plessis fight, I will have a fight in May or June against the champion, and then fight in October in Abu Dhabi. Win and defend the belt, those are the plans for this year.”
Who is Khamzat Chimaev?
Khamzat Chimaev is a Swedish-born professional mixed martial artist of Chechen descent, widely recognized for his dominant performances inside the UFC Octagon. Born on May 1, 1994, in the Chechen Republic, Russia, Chimaev moved to Sweden at the age of 19 to pursue a better life and to further his athletic career in wrestling and MMA. A prodigy in the sport, he rapidly gained attention due to his exceptional skills and aggressive fighting style.
Chimaev’s journey in mixed martial arts began in 2017, but it wasn’t until his UFC debut in 2020 that he truly became a household name. He made an explosive entrance into the promotion with three dominant victories in just 66 days. His early success caught the eye of UFC President Dana White, who immediately saw potential in the young fighter. Chimaev’s meteoric rise in the UFC is marked by his unbeaten record, with a perfect 14-0 streak (as of February 2025).
Fighting out of the Allstars Training Center in Stockholm, Sweden, Chimaev is known for his all-around skill set. A standout in wrestling, Chimaev also possesses knockout power, particularly with his heavy hands in striking exchanges. His relentless aggression and suffocating pressure have made him a fan favorite and a feared competitor in the middleweight and welterweight divisions. He is also famous for his ability to finish fights quickly, with most of his victories coming by knockout or submission.
Chimaev’s rapid ascent has placed him at the top of the middleweight division, with UFC president Dana White confirming him as a top contender for the title. His exciting fighting style, combined with his outspokenness and trash-talking persona, has made him a polarizing figure within the sport.
However, it’s not just his in-ring accomplishments that have garnered attention. Chimaev’s relationship with the Chechen government and his connections to Ramzan Kadyrov, the controversial head of the Chechen Republic, have raised concerns in the international sports community. This association has brought questions about his ability to travel to the United States and fight in the UFC due to visa issues, stemming from the U.S. government’s sanctions against Kadyrov and other figures in the Chechen leadership.
Despite these complications, Chimaev’s ambition to fight on the world’s biggest stage remains undeterred. With his sights set on UFC gold, it’s clear that Khamzat Chimaev is one of the most promising and exciting fighters to watch in the coming years.