Khamzat Chimaev Says Donald Trump Helped Resolve His U.S. Visa

(CHICAGO) Khamzat Chimaev says President Trump helped fix his U.S. visa problem, clearing his return for UFC 319 in Chicago. After nearly three years without a U.S. appearance, he completed camp in Los Angeles and arrived in Illinois for fight week. He told reporters, “I didn’t have the visa to the U.S.… Now, Donald Trump, he helped, so we go for a fight.” That claim drove headlines across July–August, but there’s still no public record showing what action led to approval, what visa class he used, or whether any waiver or expedited review was involved.

On-the-record remarks from fight week

• Chimaev repeated that earlier inactivity was not due to choice or injury but to visa trouble.
• He said, “Now, Donald Trump, he helped,” crediting the former president for his return to U.S. competition.
• When asked about a proposed 2026 UFC event at the White House, he joked, “Look at my face. I don’t think they’ll let me,” signaling doubt he’d be invited despite his new travel authorization.

These comments were carried by MMA outlets during UFC 319 media week. Reports echoed his words and emphasized the gap in details about how his visa got approved.

Verified status and the open questions

What is clear:
– Chimaev holds authorization to travel and work in the United States. He trained in Los Angeles and was scheduled to compete at UFC 319 in Chicago.
– He publicly credits President Trump for help.

What remains unclear:
– No official agency explanation has been published tying the approval to a specific step, intervention, or rule.
– The visa category (often P-1 for athletes or O-1 for extraordinary ability), filing dates, and any waivers or security advisory opinions are not reported.
– It is unknown whether any help was personal outreach or if the approval simply aligned with a change in administration and priorities.

Standard visa paths for elite fighters

For top-tier fighters like Khamzat Chimaev, two well-known options are common:

• P-1 (internationally recognized athlete)
• O-1 (extraordinary ability)

While his exact visa is not confirmed, the P-1 route is widely used in combat sports. The U.S. government’s guide to P-1A for athletes explains the basic rules and evidence standards. See the official page: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/p-1a-internationally-recognized-athlete.

How the process usually works

Teams generally move through four stages:

1. Petition with USCIS: A U.S. promoter or employer files Form I-129 with evidence of the athlete’s record, rankings, media coverage, titles, and scheduled events. Link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-129.
2. Approval notice: If USCIS approves, the athlete receives an approval notice (often an I-797), which supports the visa application.
3. Consular visa: The athlete completes the online DS-160 and attends a visa interview at a U.S. consulate. Link: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/ds-160-online-nonimmigrant-visa-application.html.
4. Entry to the United States: U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducts inspection at the port of entry.

Some cases use premium processing for faster petition review. Still, background checks, sanctions screening, or security flags can slow or block final visa issuance.

Why high-profile cases face delays

Combat sports stars travel globally and sometimes appear with political figures or sponsors. Even without wrongdoing, certain connections can trigger extra vetting.

• Media coverage has tied Chimaev’s earlier trouble to geopolitical sensitivities and his long run of fights in Abu Dhabi.
• VisaVerge.com reports that recent stories note he has kept a lower political profile while focusing on training.
• Reporting to date does not cite an official immigration file or any waiver record specific to him.

What the reporting does and doesn’t show

• Multiple July–August stories quote Chimaev saying President Trump helped.
• Outlets highlight Trump’s long public ties to the UFC and his regular presence at events.
• Articles stress the gap: no public evidence of a direct call, memo, expedite, or policy change tied to this case.

This distinction matters. Athletes and teams should not assume a new shortcut exists. The practical guidance remains the same: file strong petitions, prepare for consular screening, and allow time for checks.

Practical guidance for athletes and promoters

• Build a complete record: title wins, rankings, major event contracts, global media coverage, and letters from governing bodies.
• File early with a realistic timeline. Even approved petitions can stall at the visa stage due to security checks.
• Use premium processing when event dates are tight, but remember it speeds the petition, not the consular review.
• Keep travel history, prior visas, and any name or passport changes well documented.
• If counsel flags a possible inadmissibility issue, ask about waiver options early. None of the current reports say a waiver was used in Chimaev’s case.

Human stakes for fighters and teams

A visa delay can upend a camp, cost a main event slot, and disrupt paychecks for coaches and training partners. Missed U.S. dates can also hurt sponsorship deals and rankings.

For a star like Khamzat Chimaev, returning for UFC 319 meant access to the American market again, face time with fans, and a chance to set up the next booking—possibly Abu Dhabi in October, depending on health.

The Trump factor, without the guesswork

President Trump’s connection to the UFC is well known. He often attends cards and appears with fighters and executives. Chimaev’s words fit that narrative.

Still, without an agency document linking his approval to a specific act, it’s fair to say the outcome is confirmed while the “how” is not. Reports note the approval may reflect either personal help or timing under the new administration—both remain unverified.

Key takeaway: The visa approval for Chimaev is publicly confirmed, but the precise mechanism or intervention that produced it has not been documented in any agency record released to date.

What to watch next

• Short term: whether Chimaev stacks another booking soon after UFC 319 if he remains healthy.
• Medium term: the rumored 2026 White House event; Chimaev himself doubts he would be on that card, even with a current visa.
• Process signals: any future public filing or court record that sheds light on the steps used here. None exist in the reporting to date.

Bottom line for similarly placed athletes

• There is no new, publicly documented special pathway for UFC athletes.
• Follow standard P-1 or O-1 routes, prepare for possible delays, and plan backups for international venues.
• Keep statements consistent and factual during media week; public comments can surface in later checks.

The story of Khamzat Chimaev, President Trump, and UFC 319 shows how immigration questions can shape a career, even at the top of a sport. The fight went on; the paperwork story behind it remains partly off the record.