Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight phenom Khamzat Chimaev, who also competes at 185 pounds, has yet to earn himself a spot in the Top 15 in either weight class. That hasn’t stopped “Borz” from calling for a shot at the division title.
Before that happens, the 9-0 Chimaev will first have to get through a recognizable talent (like this guy). That’s why welterweight “Cowboy” Alex Oliveira is throwing his name into the hat for a potential showdown later this year.
“I’ll take the fight no one else wants,” Oliveira told MMA Junkie. “Chimaev, I’m ready for a fight at welterweight right now. I see you picking and choosing opponents. I’m right here. I’m itching to fight Chimaev. If you want to pick and choose opponents, I’ll fight you.”
With all due respect to Oliveira, the Brazilian is also unranked so there’s no reason for Chimaev to take the fight, especially when he’s got combatants like Michael Chiesa who are currently ranked in the Top 10 and ready to compete.
No question the future is bright for Chimaev, 26, who already has people like Daniel Cormier calling him the double champ. But until “Borz” can prove he’s got the chops to hang in the Top 10, he can expect more callouts from veterans like Oliveira.