Sports
Khamzat Chimaev Can Avoid Donald Trump ‘Ban’ and Fight at UFC White House
UFC Middleweight Champion Khamzat Chimaev may well be poised to take part in the eagerly-anticipated card at the White House, according to his coach.
The event, which will be held on the iconic property’s south lawn, has been put together to celebrate both the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, as well as the 80th birthday of President Donald Trump.
Speaking about the event late last year, Trump declared:
“They’re gonna have eight or nine championship fights, the biggest fights they’ve ever had. Every one’s a championship fight, and everyone’s a legendary type of fighter.”
Are Russian Fighters Banned From UFC White House Card?
Despite the president being keen to load the card with champions, it had previously been assumed that reigning middleweight champion Chimaev was effectively banned from the card by virtue of his ties to Russia.
That assumption came after Merab Dvalishvili confirmed that his trilogy-making fight with UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan would have to wait until after the White House card.
Merab let slip that there was a supposed ban on Russian competitors taking part on the fight card, with a June rematch with his opponent was a non-starter, despite the UFC’s real hunger to see a third fight take place, admitting that it would be “impossible” to feature. Any such ban would also impact the ability of welterweight champion Islam Makhachev to compete on the card.
But while The Machine will have to bide his time as he seeks to reclaim the title he lost at UFC 323, there may yet be hope for Chimaev, per recent comments from his coach, Alan Mascimento.
“We’re just waiting to see what the UFC is going to decide,” he told MMA Today. “We have heard a lot of speculation that no Russians would be allowed to fight (at the White House).
However, Mascimento insists that his fighter won’t be affected by the ban, in any case.
Why Khamzat Chimaev May Escape UFC White House Card Ban
With the company reportedly planning as many as seven title fights, according to UFC commentator Jon Anik, any champion being ruled out (as Yan and Makhachev seemingly are) would be a major blow.
“Either way, he’s not a Russian anymore… That’s what people forget,” his coach revealed. “Always (he has been) representing Sweden. Now he (is) representing the UAE.”
Chechen-born Chimaev moved to Sweden when he was 18, before gaining UAE citizenship in 2025 after leaving the European nation in 2023. He defeated Dricus Du Plessis last August at UFC 319 in Chicago by unanimous decision but is yet to defend that title.
“He has a UAE passport. He’s a UAE resident. He has a house here. He has everything here. Speaks English. So I think in his case it can be easier to fight in the White House. But the people who have the power and deal with the politics, I leave that to them,” added Mascimento.
Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland at UFC White House?
The main event for the UFC White House Card has already been leaked, but a showdown between Chimaev and top middleweight contender Sean Strickland would be a massive fight. Khamzat took to social media after the American’s victory over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston on Saturday night to send him a stern message:
“I destroyed the guy who beat you twice (Du Plessis). American b****!”
A Chimaev vs Strickland fight will do major business when it happens. It remains to be seen if that will be at the White House.
Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Enzo Fernandez situation amid the Argentine’s links with a Chelsea exit. The midfielder became the centre of one of the early transfer sagas this summer after requesting to leave amid interest from Real Madrid, but the World Cup has since taken centre stage.
Fernandez is currently in North America with Argentina, and he is playing a central role, scoring to complete a comeback win over Egypt in the Round of 16 on Tuesday night. The World Cup champions came back from two goals down in the second half to keep their dream of retaining the World Cup alive.
In the meantime, Fernandez continues to be linked with a move away from Chelsea.
Romano issues fresh Fernandez update
According to transfer guru Fabriio Romano, Fernandez is not going to be going anywhere until at least after the World Cup, and even then there will be talks with Chelsea before any kind of transfer progresses.
“Talking about Enzo, the situation will be discussed after the World Cup,” Romano said on his YouTube show. “Nothing will change during the World Cup. The agent of the player, Javier Pastore will talk to Chelsea after the World Cup to try to understand which one will be the best solution for all parties.
“Remember, this story started because Enzo Fernandez and Chelsea were not able to reach an agreement on the contract since the end of November or start of December, so the contract is still a problem between Enzo Fernandez and Chelsea. Then, let me tell you, after the Real Madrid statement, I saw some stories about Man City, but what I am aware, Man City are not in active talks to sign Enzo Fernandez at this stage.”
Chelsea to offload young forward
Meanwhile, Chelsea will be loaning out young talent Jesse Derry, with the young forward set to continue his development at a big club in Sporting CP.
Romano posted on X: “Jesse Derry to Sporting, here we go! Deal done on loan until June 2027, salary covered and no buy option. Chelsea got new deal done for Derry this week and now allow him to leave on loan to Sporting. Derry will return to #CFC in June 2027.”
Derry is a 19-year-old forward who has been impressing with the youth setup, and he has even made a senior appearance. The youngster is the son of former Crystal Palace defender Shaun Derry.
Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright has explained why Argentina’s winning goal against Egypt should not have counted.
Argentina completed a remarkable comeback in their last 16 fixture to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals.
The reigning world champions found themselves on the verge of a shock elimination at the Atlanta Stadium after Mostafa Ziko put Egypt 2-0 up in the 67th minute.
However, two goals in four minutes from Cristian Romero and captain Lionel Messi, who leads the race for the Golden Boot award with eight goals this tournament, turned the game on its head.
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez then sent the Argentina fans into raptures with the winning goal in stoppage-time.
Egypt Fume After Controversial Argentina Victory
Egypt’s players and coaching staff were furious, convinced they were the victims of a miscarriage of justice following a series of controversial decisions in the second half.
The Pharaohs had a 58th-minute goal disallowed following a foul on Lisandro Martinez at the opposite end of the pitch. They were also convinced they should have been awarded a penalty for a foul on Mohamed Salah moments before Fernandez netted the winner.
An emotional Ziko claimed the tournament was “rigged” in favour of Argentina after the match, while Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan was quoted saying:
“They want Argentina and Messi to stay in the World Cup for marketing.”
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Ian Wright Casts Strong Verdict
Meanwhile, ITV Sport pundit Ian Wright offered his verdict on the late drama, arguing Argentina’s third and final goal should have been disallowed.
The 62-year-old believes referee Francois Letexier’s decision to disallow Egypt’s goal earlier in the second half set a precedent that meant Salah should have been awarded a penalty before Fernandez scored.
“That’s what happening with VAR now, they’re pulling it back,” Wright said.
“If you’re going to pull it back for Argentina on the edge of the box to disallow a goal, you have to pull it back for this one with Mo Salah.”
Wright added: “He’s been caught. Whatever we say, it might be minimal, he’s been caught and then they go up the other end.” Watch the clip below:
Wright’s former England teammate and Match of the Day colleague Alan Shearer appeared to be in agreement on X (Twitter). The Newcastle United legend tweeted:
“Either both are fouls or neither is a foul. But they’re not going to re-referee they told us.”
Argentina will now face Switzerland in the quarter-finals at the Kansas City Stadium on Saturday night (Sunday, 2am BST). The winners will play either England or Norway in the semi-finals on July 15, back at the Atlanta Stadium.
Manchester United have been linked with a move to sign Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott in the summer transfer window, and Samuel Luckhurst has now provided an update on their pursuit.
The Red Devils are being linked with a host of different midfielders this summer, with Scott believed to be on their list.
Reports have suggested that United have held talks over a move to sign the English midfielder, but Bournemouth are hoping to extend his contract.
Scott has become one of the best young midfielders in the Premier League since his move to the Cherries, and he’s attracting interest from a number of clubs.
United’s priority is to bring in at least one midfielder this summer, and Scott is a name on a lengthy shortlist.
Man Utd: Alex Scott update
Journalist Luckhurst has now provided an update on Manchester United’s move to sign Bournemouth midfielder Scott in the summer transfer window.
The reliable reporter claims that United haven’t ruled out making a bid to sign the English star, despite the Cherries valuing him at £80m.
Scott is now United’s preferred midfield target after missing out on both Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes.
Despite the £80 million valuation, United are yet to formally end their interest, and they remain in the race to secure his signature.
Luckhurst confirms that Bournemouth are looking to tie him down to a new contract, and it’s almost certain that that would include a release clause.
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Man Utd can’t miss out on another target
Understandably, United didn’t want to pay the kind of fees that Tottenham and Manchester City forked out for Fernandes and Anderson.
The Red Devils are looking to be clever with their recruitment in the summer transfer window, understandably.
They are hoping to avoid overpaying for players, but they can’t afford to continue missing out on key targets. They need to bite the bullet at some point.
Whether Scott is the player they push the button on in the summer window remains to be seen, but there is no doubt they need midfield reinforcements to arrive through the door over the coming weeks.
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