“It would be fun,” Dana White remarked during the UFC 314 post-fight press conference when asked about the potential of Khamzat Chimaev headlining UFC 317 on American soil. That simple comment from the UFC CEO ignited a surge of speculation, building excitement among fans eager to see ‘Borz’ return to the Octagon. Why not? It’s been over 2.5 years since the Chechnya native last fought in the U.S. at UFC 279. Visa issues, linked to his close relationship with Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov, explain his absence during this time.

However, Dana White quickly shut down those rumors, stating, “Don’t listen to any of that bul—-t.” To set the record straight, Khamzat Chimaev himself explained why he’s been fighting closer to his homeland in the Middle East. “I don’t think so. People say a lot of different s–t. I’ve been to the U.S. and can come to the U.S., but a lot of s–t things have happened in my life with being sick and surgeries, you know,” he said. For the unversed, ‘Borz’ hasn’t fought since UFC 308 nearly five months ago, where he submitted former champion Robert Whittaker with a vicious face crank.

That dominant performance didn’t just make headlines—it also launched him from #13 to #3 in the middleweight rankings, positioning him perfectly for a potential title shot. Moreover, the reigning champion, Dricus Du Plessis, seems to be on board with the idea. After defending his title for the second time in a rematch against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 back in February, the South African didn’t hesitate to welcome the challenge. “Khamzat is next,” he declared.

As time passes and anticipation builds, fans continue to eagerly search for any signs of an official announcement. In the meantime, Khamzat Chimaev recently stirred the buzz even further. Taking to X, he dropped a cryptic but exciting update: “Good news.”

This suggests that the concerns surrounding travel bans and visa issues might be behind him, signaling that he’s ready for a new chapter. However, his health remains the biggest concern for both the fans and the promotion. Early in his UFC career, Khamzat Chimaev made a splash by competing back-to-back within just 10 days, but his activity has slowed since then.

Now, with his return to his original coach, ‘Borz’ seems to be back on track and making waves in the Octagon. His next destination appears to be America, and while he’s previously claimed that there were no visa issues, the question remains: Was he being completely honest? Let’s check out.

Throwback: Khamzat Chimaev revealed that Donald Trump’s victory was key to his U.S. entry

Earlier this year, Khamzat Chimaev made a major shift in both his personal life and professional career. On January 31st, he took to social media to announce that he would now represent the UAE. While he has repeatedly denied facing any travel bans or visa issues with the United States, the decision raised eyebrows—especially considering he hasn’t fought on American soil since submitting Kevin Holland at UFC 279 in 2022.

For years, the Chechnya native’s absence from the U.S. went largely unnoticed. He’s continued to insist that health problems—not politics—kept him competing solely in the Middle East. But a resurfaced viral clip suggests there may be more to the story. In the video, Khamzat Chimaev expresses hope for Donald Trump to win the 2024 U.S. presidential election—a comment that sparked fresh speculation.

Given Trump’s well-known friendship with UFC head honcho Dana White, many believe a Trump return could help clear the path for Chimaev’s reentry into the country. Speaking with Adam Zubayraev, Khamzat Chimaev didn’t hold back: “As long as Donald Trump is not the president [of the United States], we can’t come back to the U.S. Maybe that’s the reason. Let’s not cover the truth. But I’m not upset. Whenever they let me fight, I will fight. Whenever I get the belt, let it be—and even if I don’t get the belt, I will still be the champion without the belt.”

Now the question is—what’s next for Khamzat Chimaev? With Dana White & Co. seemingly paving the way, is a title showdown against Dricus Du Plessis all but confirmed? Has the stage finally been set for ‘Borz’s long-awaited championship run? Drop your take below.