The MMA Draw Newsletter

The MMA Draw Newsletter

Editorial: UFC fighters visited a Russian warlord, now they're headlining UFC 286

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and former interim lightweight champ Justin Gaethje will be prominently featured at UFC 286 despite potentially violating sanctions.

Karim Zidan's avatar
Karim Zidan
Mar 17, 2023
∙ Paid
A cartoon depicting Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov alongside UFC President Dana White
Image provided by BE art director Chris Rini

Several months ago, a trio of former UFC champions visited Chechnya at the behest of the republic’s strongman leader, Ramzan Kadyrov. 

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, former flyweight champion Henry Cejudo, and former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje were pictured at the Russian Specia…

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