Khamzat Chimaev makes 'terrorist' comment that could 'ruin UFC White House event chances'

UFC star Khamzat Chimaev left Daniel Cormier and fans stunned in equal measure with a comment which many think might rule him out of fighting on the mooted White House card.

Chimaev returns to the Octagon this weekend when he faces Dricus de Plessis for the middleweight championship in the main event of the UFC 319 card at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

The 31-year-old's last bout saw him submit former champ Robert Whittaker with a face crank in Abu Dhabi back in October and the undefeated contender is vying to win gold in his eighth bout under the UFC umbrella.

Chimaev has long been tipped to become one of the new faces of the UFC but he caused a huge stir this week when he said the word "terrorist" during an interview with former UFC light heavyweight champion Cormier.

Khamzat Chimaev returns to the Octagon on Saturday night. Image: Getty

Cormier was joking with Chimaev that his face and skin "is beautiful" but said that the Chechen-born fighter's features were "not beautiful like me".

That prompted an outrageous response from Chimaev, who said, "I don't need to be beautiful. Girls like terrorists."

UFC co-commentator Cormier was completely taken aback and replied, "You're so crazy, you can't say that!".

But fans were also similarly stunned at the phrase from Chimaev and reckon it might result in him being removed from a potential match-up at the White House card Dana White and Donald Trump continue to discuss.

One fan on X asked: "How is he even allowed back in the US."

A second added: "He's definitely not fighting at the White House."

A third joked: "The even 1.3% chance of him making that White House card just went right out the window

A fourth commented: "I think DJT woulda been fine with Khamzat fighting on the Whitehouse card, but not anymore."

Chimaev is back in action on Saturday. Image: Getty

Chimaev switched international allegiance

Chimaev's last two fights have been in Abu Dhabi, where he has relocated and acquired citizenship in January 2025.

Born in Chechnya, Chimaev moved to Sweden when he was 19 and represented the country in his first UFC encounters.

In the past it had been reported that Chimaev was not allowed into the US but he has always denied it was the case. Speaking to CBS Sports before UFC 308, he said: “I’ve been to the US and can come to the US… A lot of things happened with being sick and surgeries.”