UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev is facing controversy after a U.S. Air Force veteran publicly accused him of assault during an encounter at Dubai International Airport.
According to the veteran, the confrontation occurred while he was traveling alone back to the United States.
He claims he approached Chimaev respectfully as a fan but the interaction escalated into violence:
I’m a husband, father, and brother to man.
When we travel, nobody expects to be assaulted, especially when simply trying to greet someone they follow.
He alleged that during the early morning hours Chimaev confronted him and physically attacked him while accompanied by several associates:
At around 1:00–2:00 a.m., Khamzat Chimaev assaulted me in the DXB airport.
I was surrounded by him and about seven or eight others when he charged and kicked me in the chest. It’s all on CCTV.No matter how intoxicated a professional fighter is, nobody deserves this.
The man identified himself as a 46-year-old Air Force veteran:
The rumors about his wild antics are true.
This guy tried to take me out.
🤔Army vet accuses Khamzat Chimaev of assault at DXB airport
he claims Khamzat Chimaev charged him and kicked him in the chest
via 1rjpatterson IG pic.twitter.com/BSaCx5IgxR
— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) February 28, 2026