Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Surging UFC welterweight and middleweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev says he’s fighting Stephen Thompson next.
Undefeated UFC prospect Khamzat Chimaev is looking for another quick turnaround following his 17-second knockout of Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Fight Night 178 on Saturday.
The Russian-born Swedish talent wasted no time in calling out former two-time UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson following ‘Wonderboy’s’ callout of Leon Edwards on Tuesday.
All due respect @Leon_edwardsmma , which I have a lot of for you, I have been saying I would like to fight you for a while now! It makes sense and would be a great match up.
I think that was my first Twitter call out ever. man that felt weird. #FirstTimeForEverything
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) September 22, 2020
“All due respect @Leon_edwardsmma, which I have a lot of for you, I have been saying I would like to fight you for a while now! It makes sense and would be a great match up. I think that was my first Twitter call out ever. man that felt weird.”
We fighting next lets go leave Leon alone https://t.co/iltFiK7Nrm
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) September 22, 2020
“We fighting next lets go leave Leon alone,” Chimaev posted in response to Thompson.
Chimaev isn’t yet ranked at welterweight or middleweight but that hasn’t stopped UFC president Dana White from labelling the dual-division fighter ‘one of the most special fighters’ he’s ever seen.
Despite his eagerness to fight Thompson, Chimaev (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) is already slated to face former UFC middleweight and welterweight title challenger Demian Maia, who is considered one of, if not the, best submission grapplers in UFC history.
Though the fight hasn’t been officially booked, Chimaev has opened as a massive -575 betting favorite over Maia.