"We were and will be brothers" - Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov squashes beef between Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 280 scuffle 

Khamzat Chimaev and Abubakar Nurmagomedov FaceTime with Ramzan Kadyrov [image courtesy of @ya_pomoshnik_kra_95/Instagram]
Khamzat Chimaev (left) and Abubakar Nurmagomedov (right) FaceTime with Ramzan Kadyrov (top right) [image courtesy of @ya_pomoshnik_kra_95/Instagram]

Khamzat Chimaev once again found himself at the center of controversy at UFC 280. Following the main event, the welterweight contender was involved in a cageside altercation with Abubakar Nurmagomedov, the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov shared that he had a hand in helping the two fighters end their differences.

In a post shared to his Instagram that was translated from Russian, Kadyrov stated:

"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."
"There is no quarrel between Khamzat Chimaev and Abubakr 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."
"This happens, including among brothers. But it was the misunderstanding that was resolved. We were and will be brothers, Inshallah! So do not write nonsense, do not take sin to your soul, for every dirty word you will have to answer to the Almighty!"

While it is unclear what role Kadyrov played in ending the altercation, his relationship with the Chimaev has been well-documented. The No.3-ranked welterweight shared a meal with the Nurmagomedov team following the incident at UFC 280.


Khamzat Chimaev's recent history with Ramzan Kadyrov

Khamzat Chimaev's friendship with Ramzan Kadyrov has continued to grow over the last few months. Following his UFC 263 victory over Gilbert Burns, Chimaev returned to Chechnya and spent time training with Kadyrov and his two teenage sons.

Chimaev made his return to the octagon at UFC 279, where he defeated Kevin Holland via first round submission. Following his performance, he once again returned to Chechnya to train with Kadyrov's sons. This time around, Chimaev was called out for taking blows from the teenagers.

Chimaev faced further outrage this past weekend, as Kadyrov's sons were his guests at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi. Furthermore, UFC President Dana White was also criticized for allowing family members of the controversial leader to attend the event. That outrage only grew as White was later photographed alongside one of Kadyrov's sons.

Check out photos of Khamzat Chimaev alongside the Kadyrov family in Abu Dhabi:

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