Dana White is all aboard the Khamzat Chimaev hype train and has called the undefeated Swedish fighter “one of the baddest dudes” he’s ever worked with.
During a recent interview with Jim Rome, White couldn’t hide his excitement when talking about the newest UFC star.
“Khamzat Chimaev is one of the baddest dudes that I’ve ever come across and is literally willing to fight anyone and doesn’t care what the timeframe is or any of that stuff,” White said. “He’s one of the baddest dudes that I’ve ever come across.”
The UFC president revealed that he has an opponent lined up for Chimaev and is hoping to announce the fight this week. However, White did say he has found it extremely difficult to match Chiamev and he’s not surprised by that at all.
“Nobody wants to fight this guy,” White said. “Everybody wants to get out on social media and say this or say that. But when it really comes down to it, nobody’s trying to fight Khamzat Chimaev. I don’t blame them. But at the end of the day when you’re a professional fighter – this is what you do – you should look at a guy with as much hype and as much bravado as Chimaev has, as a huge opportunity.”
“Yes, 100 percent (guys are afraid of him),” White added. “100 percent.” (Transcribed by MMA Junkie)
Why Is Dana White So Hyped About Khamzat Chimaev?
‘The Wolf’ burst onto the scene in the summer of 2020 and quickly picked up three emphatic wins inside the Octagon. Chimaev dominated John Phillips in his UFC debut which took place at middleweight.
Just 10 days later he was back in action against Rhys McKee at welterweight, beating the Cage Warriors standout by first-round TKO.
A significant step up followed when Chimaev squared off against middleweight veteran Gerald Meerschaert, who he spectuarly KO’d with the first punch he landed.
Chimaev returned from a year-long layoff at UFC 267. ‘The Wolf’ faced the toughest test of his 10-fight career when he squared off against Li Jingliang in Abu Dhabi.
‘Borz’ reminded everyone why he is one of the most exciting prospects in MMA when he picked up Jingliang, carried him over to the corner Dana White was sitting in, and then slammed him to the mat in that area so he could chat with the UFC president. Chimaev made the toughest test of his career to date look like a stroll in the park, submitting Jingliang in just over three minutes.
Do you share Dana White’s excitement when it comes to Khamzat Chimaev?