Khamzat Chimaev Chechnya homecoming unfolded on August 20, 2025, four days after UFC 319 in Chicago. Video from that day shows the new middleweight champion exiting the aircraft in Grozny and greeting Ramzan Kadyrov on the runway, with the title belt visible. A short belt handover follows on camera.
A Warm and Well-Documented Welcome
Chimaev lands in Grozny with the belt, steps off the plane, and meets Kadyrov at the tarmac. The cameras capture a brief exchange, then a belt handover framed for photos and video.
UFC 319 took place on August 16 at the United Center. Chimaev defeated Dricus du Plessis by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 50–44. The Grozny arrival on August 20 fits a quick post-event return home.
Why the images carry weight
Kadyrov has been under U.S. sanctions since 2017, later reinforced under Global Magnitsky authorities. That status is frequently cited when athletes appear with him, which helps explain the visibility of the airport meeting and the belt moment.
Khamzat Chimaev’s appearances with Ramzan Kadyrov predate the title win. In 2021, both men shared sparring footage from Grozny, underscoring a direct, public link long before UFC 319. In May 2022, Chimaev married in Chechnya with Kadyrov present, a moment picked up by MMA press and social video from the event. After UFC 319, Chimaev dedicated his championship to Adam Kadyrov during post-fight remarks.
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