Fans have already criticized the UFC fighter for his friendship with Ramzan Kadyrov, the president of the Chechen Republic and a warlord close to Putin. Kadyrov is one of the political figures who has backed Russia’s intervention in Ukraine. He is also a significant figure in Russian mixed martial arts.
Chimaev has now created new controversy by uploading a photo of himself training, with the following caption:” We are athletes, each of us is a patriot of our Motherland, lately everyone has interfered with sports with politics, we stand for the country where we live, I am proud of my Motherland and I know that my Motherland is proud of me and supports me.”
Later, the UFC fighter expressed his support for Muhammad Mokaev, a fellow Russian fighter who will face Charles Johnson this weekend at UFC London. He published “@mokaev_muhammad. All those who are worthy of your Motherland are proud of you my brother, only victory InshaAllah.”