Add Neil Magny to the list of welterweights that really want to fight Khamzat Chimaev in the future.
Neil Magny is not here for any ridicule following his loss to Michael Chiesa at UFC Fight Island 8.
Magny and Chiesa were initially slated to compete in the co-main event of the night, but were quickly promoted to top billing once the original welterweight main event between Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev fell through. Magny and Chiesa would fight for all five scheduled rounds in a grappling-heavy affair that saw the latter earn a unanimous decision victory.
While he was no longer competing at the event, Chimaev was still paying close attention to the fight between the top ranked contenders in Magny and Chiesa. Once the fight was over, he took to Twitter to respond to the performances of both men.
The tweet was not immediately responded to by Magny, but that changed on Monday night. Magny sent out a series of tweets to Chimaev, who he admonished for the way he reacted to his loss.
You finally found pair of balls now huh!
— Neil Magny (@NeilMagny) February 2, 2021
Where was this energy a few months when you had opportunity to fight me?
— Neil Magny (@NeilMagny) February 2, 2021
Where was this energy a few months when you had opportunity to fight me?
— Neil Magny (@NeilMagny) February 2, 2021
“You finally found [a] pair of balls huh!” wrote Magny. “Where was this energy a few months [ago] when you had [the] opportunity to fight me? I don’t hand pick opponents like you do, I’ve fought the best guys in the UFC for the [last] 8 years. Something you know nothing about.”
Several months ago, Chimaev was in need of an opponent after it was rumored that he was getting turned down by some of the big names in the welterweight division. Magny was not one of those names and actually took to Twitter to call for a fight with Chimaev, who promptly accepted the proposal.
Despite Magny and Chimaev being interested in a potential fight, it was never made and the UFC offered the men two different opponents in Chiesa and Edwards respectively. Regardless of them getting other opponents, it appears as though this is a fight Magny wants to circle back to as was suggested in his final tweet to Chimaev.
“Make sure you keep that same energy when you see me in person! I’ll give you my word, that I’m slapping you on sight and teaching some respect!”
Chimaev may have his eyes on plenty of names like Magny, but he already has one lined up. Chimaev is preparing to return to the Octagon for the long-awaited fight with Edwards that is expected to headline UFC on ESPN+ 45 in March.