Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov's son set to make MMA debut after training with Khamzat Chimaev and Cody Garbrandt

Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov's son Ali (or Eli) is being trained by Khamzat Chimaev and Cody Garbrandt ahead of his MMA debut. Ali, 15, will take on fellow debutant Islam Akbarov on Friday, December 23, under the banner of Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA), which is owned by the Kadyrov princeling's father.

Alongside pictures of Chimaev and Garbradnt with Kadyrov junior, Karim Zidan of Bloody Elbow wrote on Twitter:

"Ramzan Kadyrov's son, Ali, is scheduled to make his MMA debut at the dictator's fight show tomorrow (ACA 150) in Chechnya. Ali has been training with UFC fighters like Khamzat Chimaev and former champ Cody Garbrandt in Dubai ahead of the fight."

Khamzat Chimaev has been close to the Kadyrov's for a long time, with the Chechen dictator playing an instrumental role in 'Borz's' recovery from COVID-19. The Chechen-born Swede has also been previously spotted training with Kadyrov's sons.

Meanwhile, Cody Garbrandt left for Dubai with Magomed Ankalaev's team after the latter's controversial draw against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 282. The former bantamweight champion was spotted a few days later training with the All-Star MMA team alongside Ali Abdelaziz, Chimaev and Kadyrov.

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Ramzan Kadyrov's son's fights seemingly lack authenticity

Ramzan Kadyrov has long been criticized for using his sons as means of propaganda. The Chechen Head of State made headlines back in 2016 for pitting his sons, the oldest of them being 11 at the time, in MMA fights without rash guards, padding or protective headgear.

More recently, Kadyrov sent his sons to the Russian-controlled Ukrainian port city of Mariupol to showcase their father's involvement in the invasion of Ukraine. They seemingly returned with three Ukrainian POWs who were later paraded on the dictator's social media.

As he prepares to make his MMA debut, Ramzan Kadyrov's son Ali is being criticized for a seemingly sketchy record. One of Ali Kadyrov's amateur fights, which appeared on Russian television last year, was evidently designed to showcase his skills.

The Kadyrov princeling picked apart his opponent Khetag Khatkarov for most of the three rounds before the latter simply stopped fighting. Unlike in usual amateur fights, Ali Kadyrov was granted a championship strap before the MC of the event went on to compare him to Muhammad Ali.

Watch the fight below:

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