Chimaev, who currently has no fight booked, watched UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi from a cageside seat.

Next to him was Ali Kadyrov, who has posted a story on his Instagram account in which he tags Chimaev together with the words "min polere" (my homie).

Even Chimaev himself has shared the publication via his own account.

Ali Kadyrov and Chimaev also pose for a picture together with the UFC's president Dana White, where Kadyrov has written: "Where is my contract?".

In another photo, Chimaev is seen holding Kadyrov's arm as they enter the arena in Abu Dhabi.

During the end of the show, while in-cage interviews were being conducted with the competitors in the main event, Chimaev got into an altercation with another UFC fighter, Abubakar Nurmagomedov, which was caught on film.

Nurmagomedov had earlier in the evening won a match at the gala, and is the cousin of former superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Accused of human rights violations

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, one of Vladimir Putin's closest allies, has three sons: 14, 15 and 16 years old.

In early October, he announced, via the messaging app Telegram, that they would go to the front line in Mariupol and participate in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Chechnya is an autonomous Russian republic.

Several thousand Chechens, the so-called Kadyrovites, are fighting for Russia in Ukraine.

Ramzan Kadyrov came to power in 2007 and his rule has for years been accused of widespread corruption and human rights violations - such as kidnappings, torture, executions and persecution of homosexuals - by both Russian and international human rights organizations.

UFC: "No collusion"

Ramzan Kadyrov himself has been seen attending UFC galas on two previous occasions, in Moscow and Abu Dhabi in 2018.

In a comment to The New York Times, the UFC writes that they "have no association or dealings with Ramzan Kadyrov, anyone from his family or anyone associated with Kadyrov".

Khamzat Chimaev is undefeated as an MMA professional with a 12-0 record and is ranked third in the world among contenders for the welterweight championship belt.

SVT Sport has sought Khamzat Chimaev's agent Majdi Shammas.

SEE ALSO: Therefore, it may be difficult for Chimaev to distance himself from the president

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Chimaev has been criticized for his links to Chechnya's president.

Photo: Bildbyrån