Justin Gaethje denies meeting the Head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov.
In November, a report from Karim Zidan on Twitter showed pictures of Justin Gaethje alongside Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman firing weapons at a Russian Special Forces University in Chechnya. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy called out Gaethje for his alleged ties to the Chechen dictator after ‘The Highlight’ threw some shade their way following Paddy Pimblett’s controversial win at UFC 282 on Saturday night.
“People are telling me @Justin_Gaethje was recently seen hanging out with a warlord accused of brutal crimes against humanity so its hypocritical for him to say we look bad for supporting Paddy when he supports a warlord. I’m gonna take high road + not mention it,” tweeted Portnoy.
People are telling me @Justin_Gaethje was recently seen hanging out with a warlord accused of brutal crimes against humanity so its hypocritical for him to say we look bad for supporting Paddy when he supports a warlord. I’m gonna take high road + not mention it. #daveyhighroad https://t.co/TiuBhAnnrp
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) December 11, 2022
Gaethje quickly came to his own defense, claiming Portnoy’s statement was an “outright lie and slander.” He followed up his comments by tweeting:
“Never met the guy. Go f*ck yourself.”
Never met the guy. Go Fuck yourself
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) December 12, 2022
Multiple responses were quick to point out the pictures and video that surfaced clearly showing Gaethje visiting the Republic. ‘The Highlight’ stayed on the defensive saying:
“Come on guy, you won’t show me one picture or video of me with the guy you taking about. I was there.”
Come on guy, you won’t show me one picture or video of me with the guy you talking about. I was there.
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) December 12, 2022
Justin Gaethje Says He Was There to Attend Birthday Party of Chechen Dictator’s Son
In another response, Gaethje again claimed that he had never met Kadyrov, but admitted that he was there for the birthday party of one of the dictators’ children.
“Are you saying all Russians look alike? Went for the kids birthday party. I also like to shoot guns.”
Are you saying all Russians look alike? Went for the kids birthday party. I also like to shoot guns.
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) December 12, 2022
Last we checked, there were plenty of places in the United States to legally shoot guns without having to accept the invitation of a man associated with a wide array of human rights violations including torture, kidnapping, and assassinations. Ramzan Kadyrov has also been accused of pushing for the elimination of the LGBTQ community in the Republic and has actively spoken out against the rights of women.
Justin Gaethje may think he’s saving face by confirming that he never actually rubbed elbows with one of the most deplorable political leaders in the world, but accepting the invitation to his son’s birthday party isn’t a strong defense.
Of course, Gaethje isn’t the only person associated with the UFC guilty of meeting with or associating with Kadyrov in some fashion. Khamzat Chimaev has maintained a fairly public friendship with the dictator while Daniel Cormier and UFC President Dana White have been seen taking pictures of Kadyrov’s children at a recent UFC event.
