Tag: Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev reflects on UFC 294 win: ‘I will show everybody that I’m the hardest fighter in the world’

Khamzat Chimaev claims he's the hardest fighter in the world right now after UFC 294 winOff the back of his close, majority decision win over former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman in the co-main…

Khamzat Chimaev claims he's the hardest fighter in the world right now after UFC 294 win

Off the back of his close, majority decision win over former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman in the co-main event of UFC 294 last weekend in Abu Dhabi, UAE – the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev has claimed he will continue to show everyone that he is, in fact, the “hardest fighter in the world” as he eyes a middleweight title shot.

Chimaev, who improved to 13-0 over the course of last weekend in his close judging victory over former pound-for-pound number one, Usman, landed at number nine in the official middleweight rankings on Tuesday of this week, in his first outing at the weight class since a 2020 knockout win over Gerald Meerschaert.

Khamzat Chimaev claims he’s the “hardest” fighter in the world

Turning in his first victory since a submission win over Kevin Holland back in September of last year, Chimaev has been tipped to fight for middleweight gold off the back of his win over Usman, despite landing at just number nine in the official divisional pile upon the release of the latest rankings update. 

Reflecting on his victory over Usman in the Middle East, Chechen-born contender, Chimaev described himself as the “hardest” fighter in the world currently – and maintained he would continue to prove that to onlookers.

Issuing a stark warning to middleweight champion, Sean Strickland ahead of a potential clash, Chimaev claimed the Covina native knew all too well that he could “finish” him quite quickly if they fought.

However, whilst admitting he had no problem fighting Chimaev in his first attempted middleweight title defense, Strickland questioned how he had actually earned a title fight with just one win at 185lbs since 2020.

“The only thing I like about (Khamzat) Chimaev is that he sells fights,” Sean Strickland said. “For some reason, people f*cking like him or don’t like him, I don’t know. To me, he’s a f*cking paycheck. He sells a lot of fights. People pay to watch but he f*cking hasn’t earned it [title fight].”

“He doesn’t f*cking deserve it but here we are,” Sean Strickland explained. “Give it to him. He sells a lot of fights. I’ll go f*cking fight the man for five rounds. But no, he has not earned it. He doesn’t f*cking deserve it and getting a deciison with a welterweight off the couch does not f*cking earn it.” 

Who wins in a future fight: Sean Strickland or Khamzat Chimaev?

Khamzat Chimaev lands at #9 in middleweight division in new UFC rankings update ahead of title fight

Khamzat Chimaev debuts as #9 in new middleweight rankings after UFC 294 title eliminator winOff the back of his close, majority decision win over former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman in an officially…

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

Off the back of his close, majority decision win over former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman in an officially billed championship-eliminator at UFC 294 over the course of last weekend, undefeated contender, Khamzat Chimaev has only landed at number nine in the 185lbs weight class, as part of the latest rankings update.

Chimaev, who returned to the Octagon for the first time since he co-headlined UFC 279 back in September of last year, managed to turn in a close, majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28) victory against former pound-for-pound number one, Usman in Abu Dhabi, UAE – in the pair’s official title-eliminator, 

Improving to 13-0 with his judging win as a result, Khamzat Chimaev has been immediately pegged to challenge for middleweight gold against incumbent division champion, Sean Strickland in his return to the Octagon – having defeated Usman in what UFC CEO, Dana White officially branded as a championship-eliminator bout.

Khamzat Chimaev debuts at #9 in new middleweight rankings update

However, as part of the new official rankings update today, the Chechen-born force has only debuted at number nine in the pile, behind other contenders, Jack Hermansson, Roman Dolidze, Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, Jared Cannonier, Robert Whittaker, Dricus du Plessis, and ex-champion, Israel Adesanya. 

And as far as the above-mentioned, Strickland is concerned, while he has no issue fighting Chimaev in the future, off the back of his UFC 294 win over Usman on just 10 days’ notice, he’s not sure the undefeated contender has earned his shot thoroughly. 

“The only thing I like about (Khamzat) Chimaev is that he sells fights,” Sean Strickland said. “For some reason, people f*cking like him or don’t like him, I don’t know. To me, he’s a f*cking paycheck. He sells a lot of fights. People pay to watch but he f*cking hasn’t earned it [title fight].”

“He doesn’t f*cking deserve it but here we are,” Sean Strickland explained. “Give it to him. He sells a lot of fights. I’ll go f*cking fight the man for five rounds. But no, he has not earned it. He doesn’t f*cking deserve it and getting a decision with a welterweight off the couch does not f*cking earn it.”

Does Khamzat Chimaev deserve a title fight after his UFC 294 victory?

Sean strickland rips Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 294, questions résumé: ‘He doesn’t deserve a title shot’

Sean Strickland claims Khamzat Chimaev hasn't earned a title fight against him after UFC 294Undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland has claimed that while he is willing to defend his title against the undefeated,…

Sean Strickland claims Khamzat Chimaev hasn't earned a title fight against him after UFC 294

Undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland has claimed that while he is willing to defend his title against the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev next following his UFC 294 title eliminator victory, as far as he’s concerned the Chechen-finisher has yet to properly earned his title fight against him. 

Strickland, the newly-minted undisputed middleweight titleholder, won his championship spoils just last month in the main event of UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia, handing two-time champion, Israel Adesanya a shocking upset win in a unanimous decision success.

And offered the chance to defend his title in a short-notice turnaround at UFC 294 over the course of the weekend, Strickland turned down the opportunity to fight the undefeated Chimaev, with former welterweight champion and prior foe, Kamaru Usman, due to the short-notice of a potential clash.

Sean Strickland claims Khamzat Chimaev hasn’t earned title fight

Reacting to Chimaev’s close, majority decision win over common-opponent, Usman, Strickland claimed that while he had no issue with fighting the former next in his first attempted title defense, in his opinion, Chimaev had yet to earn a title fight.

“The only thing I like about (Khamzat) Chimaev is that he sells fights,” Sean Strickland told UFC Fight Pass’ Extra Rounds. “For some reason, people f*cking like him or don’t like him, I don’t know. To me, he’s a f*cking paycheck. He sells a lot of fights. People pay to watch but he f*cking hasn’t earned it [title fight].”

“He doesn’t f*cking deserve it but here we are,” Sean Strickland explained. “Give it to him. He sells a lot of fights. I’ll go f*cking fight the man for five rounds. But no, he has not earned it. He doesn’t f*cking deserve it and getting a decision with a welterweight off the couch does not f*cking earn it.” 

Following Strickland’s comments, Chimaev appeared to fire a warning shot at the incumbent, claiming he would likely finish him with relative ease if they eventually share the Octagon with each other. 

Would you like to see Sean Strickland fight Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 294?

Khamzat Chimaev issues warning to Sean Strickland after UFC 294 win: ‘You know how fast I can finish you’

Khamzat Chimaev vows to finish Sean Strickland in future UFC championship fightUndefeated middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has vowed to finish undisputed division champion, Sean Strickland in quickfire fashion if they…

Khamzat Chimaev vows to finish Sean Strickland in future UFC championship fight

Undefeated middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has vowed to finish undisputed division champion, Sean Strickland in quickfire fashion if they share the Octagon together next – after landing a title-eliminator victory over former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman in the co-main event of UFC 294 over the course of the weekend.

Chimaev, who made his long-anticipated return to the Octagon in the co-headliner of UFC 294 over the course of the weekend, turned in a close, majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28) triumph over former pound-for-pound number one, Usman, in the pair’s officially billed championship-eliminator bout.

And improving to 13-0 with his judging victory as a result, Chimaev has been lined up to fight the above-mentioned, Strickland in an undisputed middleweight title fight next. 

However, when and if that showdown takes place likely depends on the Chechnya native’s immediate availability, after he confirmed how he believed he fractured his right hand in the opening exchanges of his fight with Usman, limiting his ability to wrestle and grapple in the second and third rounds. 

Khamzat Chimaev vows to finish Sean Strickland in future fight

Weighing up the possibility of sharing the Octagon with Strickland in the future, undefeated contender, Chimaev has claimed he would make short work of the incumbent champion – and the former should know that.

“@SStricklandMMA you are next don’t worry you know haw (sic) fast I can finish you,” Khamzat Chimaev posted on his official X account. 

Winning undisputed middleweight gold back in September, Strickland turned in a stunning unanimous decision win over former two-time division champion, Israel Adesanya, scoring a spectacular upset win over the City Kickboxing staple in Sydney, Australia. 

Who wins in a future fight: Khamzat Chimaev or Sean Strickland?

Paulo Costa calls for December fight with Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 294 exit: ‘He fought nobody at middleweight’

Paulo Costa calls for December fight with Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 294 he fought nobodyThe UFC’s biggest superstar, Conor McGregor, is seemingly not sold on the Khamzat Chimaev hype train after UFC 294….

Paulo Costa calls for December fight with Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 294 he fought nobody

The UFC’s biggest superstar, Conor McGregor, is seemingly not sold on the Khamzat Chimaev hype train after UFC 294.

Khamzat Chimaev faced former champion Kamaru Usman on short notice Saturday night in Abu Dhabi at UFC 294. Usman accepted the fight on just 12 days’ notice, and many fans are surprised that the young superstar ‘Borz’ didn’t dominate the former champion. Earlier in the week before the battle, UFC president Dana White announced that the winner would become the undisputed #1 contender for a middleweight title shot.

The original matchup was slated to be a thriller between Chimaev and Paulo Costa. What fans got instead was also a banger, but many point to the fact that Chimaev faced a welterweight, and still couldn’t win decisively.

So, many fans, fighters, and now even Conor McGregor are of the opinion that Chimaev might need just one more challenge before he’s ready for his long-awaited title shot.

Conor McGregor wants Khamzat Chimaev to face Paulo Costa next Instead of fighting for a title

On Twitter, Conor McGregor spoke out regarding Chimaev now being next for a title shot. “Ya know what, Chimaev may need to prove more for a 185lb title shot for me,” He began. “He must beat a true 185lber. Rebook Chimaev vs Costa.”

Unsurprisingly, a big fan of this sentiment was actually Paulo Costa himself. Costa shared an edit of the tweet and responded to it. “Conor is right,” Paulo Costa posted on his official X account. “Put at least a legit Middleweight fighter. He fought nobody at MW. Only small 170(lber) in short notice. Let’s go in December, I think It’s time enough don’t u think so?”

December would be quite a stretch for Chimaev after the fight he endured with Usman. An insane amount of damage was not suffered in their three rounds together, but, it can be assumed that enough damage was suffered to cause Chimaev to prefer to take a much longer time off than just one month’s time essentially.

What do you think should be next for Khamzat Chimaev?