Why is Ramzan Kadyrov frequently seen with famous UFC stars like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Khamzat Chimaev?

Khamzat Chimaev and Khabib Nurmagomedov are two of the most recognizable names in MMA. While Nurmagomedov retired in 2020, Chimaev is a top prospect rising through the welterweight and middleweight ranks of the UFC. So how are they connected to Ramzan Kadyrov?

Kadyrov is a Russian and Chechen politician who is currently serving as the head of the Chechen Republic. The politician holds great power and influence in Russia. He is also a colonel general in the Russian army.

Both Khamzat Chimaev and Khabib Nurmagomedov know and respect the politician and seem to heed his words. Chimaev has grown extremely close with the controversial leader in the recent past. The UFC welterweight has been training in Chechnya with Kadyrov's sons. He even brought the politician's sons to UFC events as his guests.

Check out Chimaev and Kadyrov together:

The unbeaten welterweight has faced a lot of criticism for his friendship with the controversial Chechen leader.

Chimaev faced further criticism when he brought the politician's son to UFC 280. Kadyrov has been very vocal about his support for the annexation of Ukraine and has made some shocking remarks regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Chimaev even got involved in a brawl with Khabib Nurmagomedov's cousin Abubakar Nurmagomedov ringside at UFC 280 after Islam Makhachev's fight. Kadyrov later played peacemaker between the two parties.

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Ramzan Kadyrov squashes the beef between Khamzat Chimaev and Abubakar Nurmagomedov

After the UFC 280 main event, Khamzat Chimaev was greeting team Khabib when Abubakar Nurmagomedov said something that angered the welterweight. Their acrimony didn't restrain itself to the verbal realm and fists were thrown before security intervened and separated the two.

Shortly after the incident, Ramzan Kadyrov posted a screenshot on Instagram saying he had a hand in squashing the beef between the two fighters:

"Nerves can be stressed to the limit not only in the octagon, but also outside. Each of the spectators is worried about the athlete, and the fighters experience the same emotions as in the ring. Therefore, it is not surprising that misunderstandings arise at the limit of emotions."

Dismissing rumors of any discord between the two parties, Kadyrov said:

"There is no quarrel between Khamzat Chimaev and Abubakar Nurmagomedov - I have made sure of it personally, and I pass this information on to the ill-wishers. Do not blow up this problem of a global scale and do not try to instigate and tease athletes and their fans."

He also said that quarrels such as this take place between brothers and what matters in the end is that the issue was resolved.

Take a look at the post: