Gegard Mousasi worries Trump’s travel ban will keep him out of UFC 210 fight with Chris Weidman

At UFC 210, which is scheduled for April 8 in Buffalo, New York, Gegard Mousasi has the opportunity to burst into middleweight title contention with a win over former champion Chris Weidman – that is, if he’s allowed to enter the United States.

In a recent interview with Telesport (via Fansided), Mousasi expressed worry that US President Donald Trump‘s recent travel ban could effect his ability to enter the country for this fight. This controversial travel ban bars citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, and Yemen) from entering the United States. As an Iranian-born Dutchman, this could make things difficult for Mousasi.

“I have the Dutch nationality, but I also have a visa,” the streaking middleweight explained. “But even with a visa you get in trouble, I heard. I’ll hear more about it this week though. The UFC lawyers are busy, and the people who arrange the visas are too. So it is not in my hands. My job is to train and get ready for the game. It’s just annoying.”

In this interview with Telesport, Mousasi also gave his thoughts on the ban, and Trump as the US President.

“This [ban] is not the right direction,” he said. “There seems to me a bit too much turmoil in the world, and this is certainly not a positive way. For years there were working relationships between countries, and now with Trump, there go all the years that worked for peace. I think he’s a bit of an arrogant guy, he does things his way, but I think he has little understanding of politics. I’ll wait for this week, and stay quiet in training, which is also good for my next fight.”

If Mousasi’s bout with Weidman goes ahead as planned, he will step onto the canvas in Buffalo on a four-fight streak, having recently bested Thales Leites, Thiago Santos, Vitor Belfort and Uriah Hall. He’s now 41-6-2 overall. Weidman, meanwhile, will enter the fight on a two-fight losing streak, having been stopped by Luke Rockhold and Yoel Romero in his last two bouts.

If this Gegard Mousasi vs. Chris Weidman bout happens, who do you see winning? Sound off, PENN Nation!

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 1/31/2017.