Tag: Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev teases fight with Israel Adesanya amid links to blockbuster return on UFC 300 card

Khamzat Chimaev teases fight with Israel Adesanya amid links to blockbuster return at UFC 300Unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev appears to have sights firmly fixed on a massive showdown with former two-time division…

Khamzat Chimaev teases fight with Israel Adesanya amid links to blockbuster return at UFC 300

Unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev appears to have sights firmly fixed on a massive showdown with former two-time division kingpin, Israel Adesanya – posting numerous photos of his arch-rival on social media, amid links to a return at UFC 300 next year.

Chimaev, the current number nine ranked middleweight contender, most recently co-headlined UFC 294 back in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, remaining unbeaten off the back of a close, majority decision win over former welterweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman.

As for Adesanya, the City Kickboxing staple has yet to make a return to the Octagon since he faltered in his undisputed middleweight title fight with Sean Strickland back in September in Australia, suffering a unanimous decision loss to the massive upset, and in the process, became the first champion in Octagon antiquity to drop his title belt twice in the space of a year.

And initially ruling out a return to active competition until at least 2027 as part of a drawn-out hiatus, Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Adesanya has since confirmed he plans to make a quickfire return to the Octagon – amid links to a comeback fight on the massive UFC 300 card next April.

“My last few fights I’ve had four fights in 14 months as a champion in the UFC,” Israel Adesanya said. “That’s unheard of. I was the most active champion – not fighter – champion in the league. Life has forced me to take some time off, and I will. But, you will see me soon. I said ‘2027’ – and the r*tards out there actually thought I meant that. But, you’ll see. 

Khamzat Chimaev teases fight with Israel Adesanya

And in the aftermath of Adesanya’s recent comeback u-turn, the above-mentioned, Khamzat Chimaev appears to have his interest piqued in a fight with the former two-time middleweight kingpin.

Israel Adesanya tipped to headline UFC 300 in fighting return, Khamzat Chimaev backed to feature in comeback

Israel Adesanya tipped to headline UFC 300 Khamzat Chimaev backed to feature in comebackFormer two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been backed to headline UFC 300 next April by former title…

Israel Adesanya tipped to headline UFC 300 Khamzat Chimaev backed to feature in comeback

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been backed to headline UFC 300 next April by former title challenger, Chael Sonnen, who claims unbeaten divisional contender, Khamzat Chimaev should also feature on the monumental card. 

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, headlined UFC 293 back in September most recently, suffering a stunning upset loss to arch-rival, Sean Strickland in a one-sided unanimous decision blemish.

And in the immediate aftermath of the Sydney, Australia card, Adesanya claimed he would remain sidelined from active competition for the foreseeable future – until 2027 at the earliest, in fact. 

However, in the weeks following that outlandish claim, Israel Adesanya teased a potential return as soon as March, with an eye fixed on an incoming UFC Saudi Arabia card.

As for the above-mentioned, Chimaev, the unbeaten middleweight contender made his Octagon return at UFC 294 back in October, narrowly beating former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman in a close, majority decision win in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Ruled from a title turnaround against the above-mentioned, Strickland, Chimaev has undergone a surgical procedure on his hand to address a ligament injury suffered in his win over Usman earlier this year.

Israel Adesanya backed to headline UFC 300

And despite uncertainty over the return of Adesanya, akin to Chimaev, the aforenoted, Sonnen claims the duo are likely to feature at UFC 300 in April of next year.

“To have Conor McGregor back and not use him when he’s your biggest star would be hard to bet on,” Chael Sonnen said during an interview with MMA Junkie. “However, I do think we weill have a title fight in the main event and Conor McGregor doesn’t have a title. So, now if you put Conor on the card, you just put your biggest star not in a headliner, you just demoted your top guy, so i think that eliminates Conor.” 

“Either (Israel) Adesanya is coming back – I don’t but that, ‘I’m out until 2027,’” Chael Sonnen explained. “And I do think Adesanya particularly against (Dricus) du Plessis, but Adesanya in a rematch with Sean (Strickland) as well would be very main event worthy… Another big draw that the marketing department dropped the ball on, is (Khamzat) Chimaev.”

Do you think Israel Adesanya will headline UFC 300?

Paulo Costa Claims Khamzat Chimaev Rejected UFC Saudi Arabia Clash: ‘Gourmet chenchen doesn’t want that smoke’

Paulo Costa Khamzat ChimaevPaulo Costa wants to see his previously scheduled fight with Khamzat Chimaev moved to next year’s UFC Saudi Arabia…

Paulo Costa Khamzat Chimaev

Paulo Costa wants to see his previously scheduled fight with Khamzat Chimaev moved to next year’s UFC Saudi Arabia card.

It’s been 16 months since fight fans have seen ‘The Eraser’ back in the Octagon following a bizarre, yet decisive unanimous decision win over Luke Rockhold at UFC 278. After a lengthy contract negotiation that saw him re-sign with the promotion on a four-fight deal, the one-time title challenger looked to jump right back into the mix at middleweight.

Costa was scheduled to square off with undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, but ‘Borrachinha’ was forced to withdraw from the bout due to an infection in his elbow that required multiple surgeries.

Former welterweight world champion Kamaru Usman stepped up and took his spot against Chimaev in the co-main event clash.

Paulo Costa plans to stay active in 2024

Recently, Costa took to social media to suggest that his long-awaited fight with Chimaev be moved to the UFC’s highly anticipated debut in Saudi Arabia next year. However, he also claimed that ‘Borz’ seemingly wants nothing to do with the matchup.

“I have been persistently telling the UFC to reschedule this fight for UFC Saudi Arabia, I can’t see a best main event of 5 rounds for it right now cause it’s make sense in Middle East. I would love beat his ass over there . but it’s looks like gourmet chenchen doesn’t want that smoke,” Costa wrote on X.

In a follow-up post, Costa expressed interest in a potential meeting with former middleweight champ and perennial contender Robert Whittaker should things not come to fruition with Chimaev.

“Other guys in List is Rob , if he is interested in this I proposal they should match up it sooner than later , cause I want to be active in 24,” he added.

The UFC will head to Riyadh for the first time on March 2, 2024. Thus far, only two bouts have been announced for the history-making event. Eryk Anders is expected to meet Jamie Pickett in a middleweight matchup while returning undefeated prospect Muhammad Mokaev is scheduled to make his sixth appearance for the promotion against Alex Perez.

Are you still interested in seeing Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev square off inside the Octagon?

Khamzat Chimaev betting favorite to hold UFC middleweight championship by the end of 2024

Khamzat Chimaev debuts as #9 in new middleweight rankings after UFC 294 title eliminator winDespite his impending sidelining through a hand injury, unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev is the current betting favorite to…

Khamzat Chimaev debuts as #9 in new middleweight rankings after UFC 294 title eliminator win

Despite his impending sidelining through a hand injury, unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev is the current betting favorite to be strapped with divisional gold at the end of next year, coming in as a favorite over incumbent titleholder, Sean Strickland, and former champion, Israel Adesanya.

Chimaev, the current number eight ranked middleweight contender, most recently co-headlined UFC 294 back in October of this year in Abu Dhabi, landing a close, majority decision win over former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman in his return to the weight class.

The victory came as Khamzat Chimaev’s first since September of last year, landing a dominant opening round D’Arce choke submission win over Kevin Holland, after missing weight for a planned welterweight main event against Nate Diaz by a staggering seven and a half pounds.

And despite missing out on the next middleweight title fight to the surging South African talent, Dricus du Plessis – who challenges Strickland at UFC 297 at the turn of the year, Khamzat Chimaev is the current betting favorite to hold the title by the end of 2024 – with odds of just +100 available currently. 

Khamzat Chimaev is betting favorite to hold middleweight gold at end of 2024

Many betting sites and markets are offering punters and bettors the opportunity to bet on future championship winners odds – including the newest betting sites, who also offer outright fight winning odds, as well as numerous prop bets. 

Khamzat Chimaev, who boasts an impressive 13-0 professional record, who is currently planning a comeback fight at UFC 300 in April of next year, confirmed earlier this week how he will not manage to avoid a surgical procedure, in order to address a ligament tear in his hand, sidelining him until next year. 

And involved in the above-mentioned January title fight at UFC 297, Strickland, the current champion is as high as +400 to hold the title by the end of the year, while incoming challenger, du Plessis is available at +700.

Conceivable fourth betting favorite to hold the title by the end of next December, Ikram Aliskerov, a former foe of Khamzat Chimaev – who holds the sole victory over the Russian, is sitting as high as +700, having landed knockout wins over both Phil Hawes, and recently, Warlley Alves two fights deep into his Octagon tenure. 

As for former two-time champion, Adesanya, the City Kickboxing standout is the current five betting favorite to hold the title at the end of 2024, holding odds as high as +1,000 to do such – ahead of former foes and prior champions, Robert Whittaker (+2,000) or Brazilian phenom, Alex Pereira (+4,000) – who has since struck gold a division higher. 

An interesting note to potentially hold middleweight gold by the end of next year is former welterweight title challenger and prior WEC and Strikeforce champion, Nick Diaz – with the Stockton favorite the joint least likely to hold the title at the end of 2024 at whopping +50,000 odds to do so, amongst 13 others, including former champion, Chris Weidman. 

Linked with a continued stay at middleweight beyond his divisional leap two months ago, former pound-for-pound best, Kamaru Usman can be backed as high as +10,000 to achieve such a feat. 

Khamzat Chimaev betting favorite to hold UFC middleweight championship by the end of 2024

Khamzat Chimaev debuts as #9 in new middleweight rankings after UFC 294 title eliminator winDespite his impending sidelining through a hand injury, unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev is the current betting favorite to…

Khamzat Chimaev debuts as #9 in new middleweight rankings after UFC 294 title eliminator win

Despite his impending sidelining through a hand injury, unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev is the current betting favorite to be strapped with divisional gold at the end of next year, coming in as a favorite over incumbent titleholder, Sean Strickland, and former champion, Israel Adesanya.

Chimaev, the current number eight ranked middleweight contender, most recently co-headlined UFC 294 back in October of this year in Abu Dhabi, landing a close, majority decision win over former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman in his return to the weight class.

The victory came as Khamzat Chimaev’s first since September of last year, landing a dominant opening round D’Arce choke submission win over Kevin Holland, after missing weight for a planned welterweight main event against Nate Diaz by a staggering seven and a half pounds.

And despite missing out on the next middleweight title fight to the surging South African talent, Dricus du Plessis – who challenges Strickland at UFC 297 at the turn of the year, Khamzat Chimaev is the current betting favorite to hold the title by the end of 2024 – with odds of just +100 available currently. 

Khamzat Chimaev is betting favorite to hold middleweight gold at end of 2024

Many betting sites and markets are offering punters and bettors the opportunity to bet on future championship winners odds – including the newest betting sites, who also offer outright fight winning odds, as well as numerous prop bets. 

Khamzat Chimaev, who boasts an impressive 13-0 professional record, who is currently planning a comeback fight at UFC 300 in April of next year, confirmed earlier this week how he will not manage to avoid a surgical procedure, in order to address a ligament tear in his hand, sidelining him until next year. 

And involved in the above-mentioned January title fight at UFC 297, Strickland, the current champion is as high as +400 to hold the title by the end of the year, while incoming challenger, du Plessis is available at +700.

Conceivable fourth betting favorite to hold the title by the end of next December, Ikram Aliskerov, a former foe of Khamzat Chimaev – who holds the sole victory over the Russian, is sitting as high as +700, having landed knockout wins over both Phil Hawes, and recently, Warlley Alves two fights deep into his Octagon tenure. 

As for former two-time champion, Adesanya, the City Kickboxing standout is the current five betting favorite to hold the title at the end of 2024, holding odds as high as +1,000 to do such – ahead of former foes and prior champions, Robert Whittaker (+2,000) or Brazilian phenom, Alex Pereira (+4,000) – who has since struck gold a division higher. 

An interesting note to potentially hold middleweight gold by the end of next year is former welterweight title challenger and prior WEC and Strikeforce champion, Nick Diaz – with the Stockton favorite the joint least likely to hold the title at the end of 2024 at whopping +50,000 odds to do so, amongst 13 others, including former champion, Chris Weidman. 

Linked with a continued stay at middleweight beyond his divisional leap two months ago, former pound-for-pound best, Kamaru Usman can be backed as high as +10,000 to achieve such a feat. 

Khamzat Chimaev targets fight on UFC 300 card, urges promotion to book him: ‘Tell Dana White, make it happen’

Khamzat Chimaev targets fighting return at UFC 300 tell Dana White make it happenSet for surgery later this month, unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has sights set on featuring at UFC 300…

Khamzat Chimaev targets fighting return at UFC 300 tell Dana White make it happen

Set for surgery later this month, unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has sights set on featuring at UFC 300 next April in his return to the Octagon – urging promotional CEO, Dana White to book him on the monumental flagship card.

Chimaev, the current number eight ranked middleweight contender, most recently co-headlined UFC 294 back in October of this year in Abu Dhabi, UAE, turning in a close, majority decision win over former welterweight kingpin, Kamaru Usman on short-notice.

And despite initial optimism that the Chechen may avoid a surgical procedure to address a ligament tear in his hand suffered in the opening round of his middleweight clash with former pound-for-pound best, Usman, Chimaev confirmed himself how he will go under the knife in two weeks time to address that injury, ruling him out until April at the earliest according to him.

Khamzat Chimaev targets return at UFC 300

Missing out on a championship fight with the incumbent middleweight best, Sean Strickland off the back of his win over Usman at UFC 294 back in October, Khamzat Chimaev has now claimed he would fight to fight at UFC 300 next year in the opening quarter of the annum, urging the above-mentioned White to feature him on the pay-per-view event.

“I’m going to do surgery, operation in one, two weeks, after that, do the recovery, come back, smash somebody,” Khamzat Chimaev said during an Instagram Live session. “Tell Dana White, make that happen [book a fight at UFC 300].”

Claiming he would knock out newly crowned light heavyweight kingpin, Alex Pereira if they ever shared the Octagon at the 205 pound limit, Chimaev received an offer of a division leap by former titleholder, Jiri Prochazka, who offered the Chechen a bout at 205 pounds. 

Who would you like to see Khamzat Chimaev fight next?