Khamzat Chimaev has defended his "Motherland" Russia in a social media post that has sparked huge controversy.
Chimaev has lived in Sweden since travelling to the Scandinavian country at the age of 18 after being born in the Chechen Republic of Russia. A war is rumbling on in Eastern Europe with Vladimir Putin electing to invade Ukraine, which has seen several Ukrainian fighters return home and take up arms.
The UFC star has previously sparked controversy, with fans criticising his relationship with Putin's warlord friend Ramzan Kadyrov, who is the president of Chechen Republic. Kadyrov is one of the leaders who has supported Russia's action in Ukraine, with Kadyrov also a key player in Russian MMA.
Chimaev has now sparked fresh controversy posting a picture of himself in training ahead of his victory over Gilbert Burns with the caption: " We are athletes, each of us is a patriot of our Motherland, lately everyone has interfered with sports with politics, we stand for the country where we live, I am proud of my Motherland and I know that my Motherland is proud of me and supports me."
The Chechen star later voiced his support for fellow Russian UFC star Muhammad Mokaev who will take on Charles Johnson this weekend at UFC London. He posted: "@mokaev_muhammad. All those who are worthy of your Motherland are proud of you my brother, only victory InshaAllah."
Russian athletes have been banned from competing in several sports including football where players from the nation have been let go by clubs due to their association with the country. Most recently Russian tennis players were banned from competing in British grand slam Wimbledon, which led to the event losing its ranking points after the ATP took action.
However Chimaev competes under the Swedish flag despite supporting his birthplace and has launched a stellar career in MMA since the age of 23. Chimaev's rise has been nothing short of remarkable in the UFC having now climbed to No.3 in the rankings at 170lb.
Chimaev was victorious over leading contender Gilbert Burns earlier this year which edged him ever-closer to a title shot against champion Kamaru Usman. However his next bout will now take place at UFC 279 against veteran Nate Diaz in the American star's final bout with the promotion.
The Chechen star has vowed to take victory once again and hand Diaz his "funeral" before departing from his contract with the UFC. Octagon legend Chael Sonnen is uncertain why the promotion have allowed Chimaev to be matched up with Diaz after the pair's recent form. "Everybody in the UFC is either champions or contenders, he said during a video on his YouTube channel.
"So if we're going to book a main event at Madison Square Garden it's got to be something. And we can't call it a number one contenders match when one guy isn't coming [to be No. 1 contender], we know that going in. So what are we doing?"
