Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
The quest to find Khamzat Chimaev’s next opponent has been a difficult task to say the least.
High-ranked opponents don’t see enough upside in a matchup with the rising prospect while Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) doesn’t want to turn to low-ranked options because they need “Borz” to get a big enough push. At this point, Chimaev is chomping at the bit to fight just about anybody, but UFC is acting like Goldie Locks looking for the perfect porridge.
Luckily, one top-ranked welterweight/middleweight has stepped up to the plate and offered to welcome Chimaev to the big leagues. When every other contender is denying Chimaev a chance to prove he’s a legit contender former welterweight title challenger Darren Till has opened up the door for a matchup with “Borz.”
Till, who currently competes at 185 pounds, is already scheduled to fight Jack Hermansson this December. While the winner is likely to land himself a No. 1 contender’s bout and a potential shot at UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, Till is willing to put those aspirations aside to give the masses what they want: Chimaev vs. a top-ranked opponent.
Here is what Till had to say in a Twitter post early Saturday:
Rankings have never mattered in the @Ufc@KChimaev after I destroy jack in December, if you are still struggling to get a match.
I’ll give you a go at the big boys son!!!— D (@darrentill2) October 10, 2020
“Rankings have never mattered in the @Ufc. @KChimaev after I destroy jack in December, if you are still struggling to get a match. I’ll give you a go at the big boys son!!!”
While UFC has reportedly offered Stephen Thompson and Chris Weidman the next chance to fight Chimaev both fighters are not interested. Till is an even bigger star than both “Wonderboy” and Weidman at this point in his career so it may actually benefit Chimaev in the long run.
Chimaev, 26, is currently 3-0 in UFC after making is debut this past July. The young phenom has dominated each and every one of his opponents to date, which includes his recent 17-second destruction of middleweight veteran Gerald Meerschaert. That victory helped everyone realize that Chimaev is the real deal and can finish fights on the feet rather than smashing his opponent with ground-and-pound.
UFC is likely to find Chimaev an opponent before Till locks horns with Hermansson this December, but if “Borz” wins his next fight a matchup with “Gorilla” could be the next chapter in this crazy saga.
What say you, Maniacs? Does Till vs. Chimaev make sense? Who wins?
Sound off!