Tag: Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev Reacts To Ian Garry’s Middleweight Plan: ‘You’re Too Skinny!’

Undefeated UFC middleweight Khamzat Chimaev evidently isn’t taking Ian Garry’s 185-pound ambitions too seriously. Garry’s current focus is on rising the ranks at 170 pounds en route to the gold. The next step on that journey comes this weekend when he co-headlines the UFC 310 pay-per-view opposite top contender Shavkat Rakhmonov. Fittingly, “The Future” has […]

Undefeated UFC middleweight Khamzat Chimaev evidently isn’t taking Ian Garry’s 185-pound ambitions too seriously.

Garry’s current focus is on rising the ranks at 170 pounds en route to the gold. The next step on that journey comes this weekend when he co-headlines the UFC 310 pay-per-view opposite top contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Fittingly, “The Future” has never been on to avoid looking into the future. And when it comes to his plan post-Dec. 7, the Irishman has more than one belt in mind.

“I’m a young kid who’s dreamed of being here, who wanted to see his face on billboards.” Garry told Ariel Helwani this week. “(I) wanted to do shows against the scariest people in the world. I’ve said to you before, how my ideal scenario is I fight and beat Shavkat, and then win the welterweight title. I go up to middleweight, I fight Khamzat and win that belt too.

“I’m not afraid of any man. I know how talented I am. I know the gifts God gave me,” Garry added.

It didn’t take long for the middleweight specifically named by Garry while he became the latest expressing two-division goals to give his thoughts.

Taking to social media, Chimaev sent the unbeaten Dublin native a stern warning.

“@ianagaryy You’re too skinny kid, don’t go near the Wolf’s teeth, you’ll end up headless,” Chimaev wrote on X.

While Chimaev rose into title contention at welterweight, struggles to hit the 171-pound limit resulted in a permanent move to 185 pounds. He’s since thrived, defeating both Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker to rise to #3 on the divisional ladder.

With “Borz” widely expected to challenge for Dricus du Plessis’ gold next, the Chechen star could well occupy the throne by the time Garry has the chance to realize his middleweight aspirations.

First things first, though, Garry has another undefeated phenom to handle at T-Mobile Arena this Saturday night.

Khamzat Chimaev Calls Out UFC’s Dricus Du Plessis—With Donald Trump

Khamzat Chimaev Calls Out UFC's Dricus Du Plessis—With Donald TrumpKhamzat Chimaev is coming for Dricus Du Plessis’ middleweight title, and the Chechen is getting a little help from…

Khamzat Chimaev Calls Out UFC's Dricus Du Plessis—With Donald Trump

Khamzat Chimaev is coming for Dricus Du Plessis’ middleweight title, and the Chechen is getting a little help from President-elect Donald Trump … Sort of.

Following his dominant first-round submission victory over Robert Whittaker in Abu Dhabi, fans are clamoring for ‘Borz’ to get his first shot at UFC gold.

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Unfortunately, Chimaev will have to get in line as Dana White has already promised the next title opportunity to ex-champion Sean Strickland. Of course, that won’t stop Chimaev from shooting his shot on social media.

Recently, the undefeated Chimaev took to X and tagged Du Plessis in a post featuring an image of Trump pointing his finger.

Khamzat Chimaev

A little odd seeing a Chechen fighter who lives in the Middle East calling out a South African with a picture of a former and soon-to-be President of the United States, but you do you, Chimaev.

‘The Reaper’ thinks Khamzat chimaev should walk straight into a title fight

Originally, the plan was for ‘DDP’ to put his title on the line against Strickland in a rematch of the UFC 297 clash that saw Du Plessis escape with a win and the belt via a somewhat questionable split decision. By all accounts, that still seems to be the plan, but White recently confirmed that Chimaev plans on competing for the middleweight title in 2025.

The only question is, will it be before or after Strickland’s promised shot?

Khamzat Chimaev

If you ask Robert Whittaker, the answer is pretty clear.

“I’m interested to see what he does next,” Whittaker said on The MMArcade podcast. “I think he’s going to be a nightmare for a lot of the dudes in the top five because I don’t know how you stop that takedown? I think he should go straight to Dricus. I don’t think sitting out should be rewarded ever. But it’s not my call, not my decision.”

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Khamzat Chimaev Uses Donald Trump To Aim Cryptic Post At Dricus Du Plessis

It looked for a long time like Dricus Du Plessis’ next middleweight title defense would see him face Sean Strickland in a rematch but that was until Khamzat Chimaev changed the narrative. Du Plessis won the middleweight title at UFC 297 in January by beating Strickland via a split decision and after the former champ […]

It looked for a long time like Dricus Du Plessis’ next middleweight title defense would see him face Sean Strickland in a rematch but that was until Khamzat Chimaev changed the narrative. Du Plessis won the middleweight title at UFC 297 in January by beating Strickland via a split decision and after the former champ rebounded with a win, this was the clear direction to go in.

The only other potential candidate at the time was another former champion in Robert Whittaker but when he was booked to face Chimaev at UFC 308, all the title plans needed to be put on hold until that fight played out. What we ended up getting was a statement win from the undefeated Chimaev who became just the second man to submit “The Reaper” in 34 pro fights.

As a result, Chimaev challenging Du Plessis for the belt is now the most exciting fight in the division but one barrier to it happening could be the issues that “Borz” has faced in regards to staying active. His recent social media post appears to address that and remove it from the conversation.

Chimaev has not fought in the United States since UFC 279 in 2022 with his wins over Whittaker and Kamaru Usman both taking place in Abu Dhabi. He previously told Kevin Iole that if Donald Trump was re-elected as President, fighting in the United States wouldn’t be an issue for him.

“Let Donald Trump win the fight and I will be there.”

Posting on X, Chimaev tagged the 185-pound champion with nothing more than an image and eye emoji attached to get across his point that there is nothing that can get in the way of him being the next challenger. It now looks likely that we will see this huge fight take place at middleweight with it potentially being held in the United States.

Robert Whittaker Endorses Khamzat Chimaev for Next Title Shot: ‘Sitting Out Shouldn’t Be Rewarded’

Robert Whittaker Endorses Khamzat Chimaev for Next Title Shot: 'Sitting Out Shouldn’t Be Rewarded'Robert Whittaker thinks Khamzat Chimaev should be the next man up for middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis. ‘Borz’ made…

Robert Whittaker Endorses Khamzat Chimaev for Next Title Shot: 'Sitting Out Shouldn’t Be Rewarded'

Robert Whittaker thinks Khamzat Chimaev should be the next man up for middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis.

‘Borz’ made a pretty compelling case at UFC 308, scoring a quickfire submission victory over Whittaker. With the win, Chimaev moved to the No. 3 spot in the 185-pound rankings and appears to be well on his way to his first title opportunity inside the Octagon.

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However, the unbeaten Chechen monster may be waiting a bit after UFC CEO Dana White promised Sean Strickland the next title shot.

“Yes, [Strickland is still next],” White told reporters at a DWCS press conference in October.

White’s comments came weeks before Chimaev dropped jaws with his first-round neck-crank finish against ‘The Reaper’ in Abu Dhabi, leading many to suggest that ‘Borz’ be allowed to skip the line and walk straight into a scrap with ‘Stillknocks.’

Appearing on the MMArcade podcast with Jonny Roses, Whittaker echoed that same sentiment.

“I think [Khamzat] should go straight to Dricus,” Whittaker said. “I don’t think sitting out should be rewarded, ever.”

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Khamzat Chimaev likely to face winner of ‘dDP’ vs. Strickland 2 instead of jumping the line

Following his win against Paulo Costa at UFC 302, Strickland made it clear that he planned to sit on the sidelines and wait for a rematch with Du Plessis. Clearly, Whittaker is not of fan of that strategy, but you can’t really blame Strickland for not wanting to put his spot at the front of the line at stake — especially after White confirmed he’s next.

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No official date for ‘DDP’ vs. Strickland 2 has been locked down. Originally, the promotion had hoped to take the sequel scrap to Du Plessis’ home country, South Africa. Unfortunately, it sounds like that is no longer the case after White indicated issues with locking down a venue.

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No matter where Du Plessis and Strickland decide to run it back, Khamzat Chimaev will be watching and waiting.

Robert Whittaker Endorses Khamzat Chimaev for Next Title Shot: ‘Sitting Out Shouldn’t Be Rewarded’

Robert Whittaker Endorses Khamzat Chimaev for Next Title Shot: 'Sitting Out Shouldn’t Be Rewarded'Robert Whittaker thinks Khamzat Chimaev should be the next man up for middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis. ‘Borz’ made…

Robert Whittaker Endorses Khamzat Chimaev for Next Title Shot: 'Sitting Out Shouldn’t Be Rewarded'

Robert Whittaker thinks Khamzat Chimaev should be the next man up for middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis.

‘Borz’ made a pretty compelling case at UFC 308, scoring a quickfire submission victory over Whittaker. With the win, Chimaev moved to the No. 3 spot in the 185-pound rankings and appears to be well on his way to his first title opportunity inside the Octagon.

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However, the unbeaten Chechen monster may be waiting a bit after UFC CEO Dana White promised Sean Strickland the next title shot.

“Yes, [Strickland is still next],” White told reporters at a DWCS press conference in October.

White’s comments came weeks before Chimaev dropped jaws with his first-round neck-crank finish against ‘The Reaper’ in Abu Dhabi, leading many to suggest that ‘Borz’ be allowed to skip the line and walk straight into a scrap with ‘Stillknocks.’

Appearing on the MMArcade podcast with Jonny Roses, Whittaker echoed that same sentiment.

“I think [Khamzat] should go straight to Dricus,” Whittaker said. “I don’t think sitting out should be rewarded, ever.”

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Khamzat Chimaev likely to face winner of ‘dDP’ vs. Strickland 2 instead of jumping the line

Following his win against Paulo Costa at UFC 302, Strickland made it clear that he planned to sit on the sidelines and wait for a rematch with Du Plessis. Clearly, Whittaker is not of fan of that strategy, but you can’t really blame Strickland for not wanting to put his spot at the front of the line at stake — especially after White confirmed he’s next.

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No official date for ‘DDP’ vs. Strickland 2 has been locked down. Originally, the promotion had hoped to take the sequel scrap to Du Plessis’ home country, South Africa. Unfortunately, it sounds like that is no longer the case after White indicated issues with locking down a venue.

dricus du plessis

No matter where Du Plessis and Strickland decide to run it back, Khamzat Chimaev will be watching and waiting.

Robert Whittaker Reveals Planned UFC Return Date After Crushing Loss To Khamzat Chimaev

Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has his eyes on a mid-2025 return after repairing the damage he sustained at the hands of Khamzat Chimaev last month. Following two strong appearances in 2024 that saw him outpoint Paulo Costa and knock out the highly touted Ikram Aliskerov, Whittaker hoped to make it three on the […]

Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has his eyes on a mid-2025 return after repairing the damage he sustained at the hands of Khamzat Chimaev last month.

Following two strong appearances in 2024 that saw him outpoint Paulo Costa and knock out the highly touted Ikram Aliskerov, Whittaker hoped to make it three on the bounce at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.

But his pursuit of a rematch with current titleholder Dricus Du Plessis came to an emphatic halt at the hands of Chimaev, who added “The Reaper” to the list of victims on his undefeated record.

And the result was up there with the Chechen star’s most vicious in the UFC to date, as he dragged Whittaker down before displacing his front teeth with a brutal face crank in the very first round.

During a recent episode of his MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker provided an update on his status, revealing he underwent a procedure to remove and replace the damaged teeth — dental surgery that also uncovered a sizable cyst in the Australian’s jaw.

But the former champ is now on the mend, and he’s even eyeing a return to action as soon as May 2025.

“I’m going to give a bit of time. I’m not going to rush into the next fight, because there are some things I want to address,” Whittaker said. “I’m probably looking to return in June. June-ish? End of May? I don’t know. We’ll play with the dates next year.”

And when he does make the walk again, “The Reaper” is promising to adapt and show new wrinkles to his game.

“I’m 34 in December,” Whittaker noted. “I still have, I feel like some tricks up my sleeve. I still have some goals that I want to hit. Like I said, I am building some new skills. But that’s just how I look at things. Every obstacle and setback just makes me stronger, it makes the comeback better. I’m looking forward to getting back in there. I’m enjoying training. I’m excited for the next, what I could be.”

While Whittaker focuses on his recovery and plan to display a new and improved “Bobby Knuckles” next year, Chimaev has his sights set on the middleweight gold.

Although he’s yet to be confirmed as next in line over Sean Strickland, “Borz” appears to have plenty of support from his peers and the MMA masses when it comes to Du Plessis’ second defense of the 185-pound title.