Tag: Khamzat Chimaev

Photo – Social media leak suggests Khamzat Chimaev is in line to fight Jared Cannonier in UFC 294 return

khamzat chimaevKhamzat Chimaev now appears to be facing former middleweight title challenger, Jared Cannonier. Following making quick work of Kevin Holland in September of 2022, it seemed that Chimaev would be ready to make a quick return to the octagon. However, 10 months on and the 29-year-old has nothing booked after being linked with several opponents […]

khamzat chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev now appears to be facing former middleweight title challenger, Jared Cannonier.

Following making quick work of Kevin Holland in September of 2022, it seemed that Chimaev would be ready to make a quick return to the octagon. However, 10 months on and the 29-year-old has nothing booked after being linked with several opponents from 170-185lbs.

With documented issue making weight, Chimaev’s next step is a little more difficult than it should be, had he made weight for his cancelled bout against Nate Diaz. ‘Borz’ has bounced between the two weight classes, but his best chance at winning a UFC title appeared to be at welterweight given his natural size and strength advantage at the division.

For a while, it appeared that he would in fact be making the jump to middleweight to face Paulo Costa, in what would have been a highly intriguing contest given Costa’s athletic ability. Then, Chimaev was linked to a bout with former champion, Kamaru Usman, with the pair going back-and-forth most recently as yesterday.

While both Usman and Chimaev seemed keen for the fight, it now seems that Chimaev will return against a top middleweight.

Khamzat Chimaev’s next potential opponent leaked

Thanks to post by one of Chimaev’s coaches, Azamat Dugulubgov, and some crafting fans, it now appears that his next opponent will in fact be No.3 ranked middleweight, Jared Cannonier.

Dugulubgov posted to Instagram a photo of a UFC fight with the fighters blurred out, captioning it – “Already studying the next opponent for the Borz.”

Leaked Khamzat Chimaev opponent

It didn’t take long for fans to make comparisons to previous fights, and it appears to match up perfectly to a fight between Cannonier and Kelvin Gastelum.

Gastleum is currently booked against Shavkat Rakhmonov after moving back down from middleweight. A fight between Cannonier and Chimaev had also been discussed after the ‘Killa Gorilla’ had been asked about the fight following his recent win over Marvin Vettori.

Who wins, Khamzat Chimaev or Jared Cannonier?

Paulo Costa vows to ‘Expose’ Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294: ‘See you soon, little insecure weirdo’

Paulo Costa vows to expose Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 insecure little weirdoDespite the fact he is yet to be booked to fight the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in October, middleweight contender, Paulo Costa has vowed to “expose” the Chechen-born contender in Abu Dhabi, UAE, ahead of his return later this month. Costa, the current number six ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined since he […]

Paulo Costa vows to expose Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 insecure little weirdo

Despite the fact he is yet to be booked to fight the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in October, middleweight contender, Paulo Costa has vowed to “expose” the Chechen-born contender in Abu Dhabi, UAE, ahead of his return later this month.

Costa, the current number six ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined since he featured on the main card of UFC 278 back in August of last year, snapping a two-fight losing skid to Israel Adesanya, and Marvin Vettori – with a unanimous decision win over former division champion, Luke Rockhold.

Slated to make his return to the Octagon at UFC 291 at the end of this month in Salt Lake City, Utah, Brazilian fan-favorite, Costa is slated to take on soon-to-be common-foe, Ikram Aliskerov on the main card of the Delta Center event. 

As for Chimaev, the 12-0 welterweight contender has himself yet to return to the Octagon since co-headlining UFC 279 back in September of last year, stopping Kevin Holland with a first round D’Arce choke submission win.

And expected to feature at UFC 294 in October in a return to the Middle East, Chimaev has welcomed a bout with former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, and has notably been linked to a middleweight division bow against recent big-winner, Jared Cannonier at the October event.

Paulo Costa takes aim at long-standing rival, Khamzat Chimaev

However, as far as Belo Horizonte native, Costa appears to be concerned, he is in line to fight Chimaev in October, labelling him a “little insecure weirdo”.

“Haha loll look at this,” Paulo Costa tweeted. “Gourmet Chen Chen – me and u knows I’m going to Abu Dhabi to expose you badly and u know that. You got scared since I meet u in UFC PI, @jakeshieldsajj was there too. See u soon, little insecure weirdo.” 

Khamzat Chimaev issues warning to ex-UFC champion Kamaru Usman: ‘You’re the boogeyman, but I’m the wolf’

Khamzat Chimaev warns Kamaru Usman you're boogeyman but I'm the wolfUFC phenom, Khamzat Chimaev continues to stoke the flames to a potential matchup with Kamaru Usman later this year. For someone who built up his fearsome reputation for seemingly fighting anyone at a drop of a hat, it has been some time since Chimaev has competed – ten months to be exact. While Chimaev did […]

Khamzat Chimaev warns Kamaru Usman you're boogeyman but I'm the wolf

UFC phenom, Khamzat Chimaev continues to stoke the flames to a potential matchup with Kamaru Usman later this year.

For someone who built up his fearsome reputation for seemingly fighting anyone at a drop of a hat, it has been some time since Chimaev has competed – ten months to be exact. While Chimaev did have a lengthy time off between his fights with Gerald Meerschaert and Li Jingliang, this was due to a serious Covid-19 illness, one which almost saw him retire. So, it is odd that with seemingly no documented injury, visa or personal issues, that Chimaev has not fought since his one round demolition of Kevin Holland.

However, it has not stopped the Chechen born fighter to call out, and goad his contemporaries, calling out and being linked with several other fighters form 1790 to 185lbs. Recently though, there has been rumours flying regarded a fight with former welterweight champion, Usman, and the pair have since exchanged words via social media and interviews.

Khamzat Chimaev encourages Kamaru Usman to come up to middleweight

In the most back-and-forth between the pair, Usman had been asked about a potential matchup with Chimaev and explained he was open to the fight, but that ‘Borz’ had to be disciplined and make it to the welterweight limit.

‘Hey, this is the guy you guys are saying is the next guy in the division.’ OK, give me that guy. I said that to Dana,” Usman began. At the end of the day, I have been and still am the bogeyman of this division. I asked for (Khamzat). If you want to fight, you want to be a champion, cut the f—ng weight. And come and fight.” (H/T BloodyElbow)

Never one to hold his tongue, Chimaev responded to Usman, telling him to come meet him up at middleweight. Moving up in weight is something that Usman  had previously spoken about.

Khamzat Chimaev calls out Usman

“Kamaru Usman, Why you talking about me?” Chimaev asked. “You said you wanted to fight at 84 kilos [Middleweight], the weight is no problem for you. You are bogeyman, but I am the wolf. Come up.”

Who wins, Khamzat Chimaev or Kamaru Usman?

Khamzat Chimaev issues warning to ex-UFC champion Kamaru Usman: ‘You’re the boogeyman, but I’m the wolf’

Khamzat Chimaev warns Kamaru Usman you're boogeyman but I'm the wolfUFC phenom, Khamzat Chimaev continues to stoke the flames to a potential matchup with Kamaru Usman later this year. For someone who built up his fearsome reputation for seemingly fighting anyone at a drop of a hat, it has been some time since Chimaev has competed – ten months to be exact. While Chimaev did […]

Khamzat Chimaev warns Kamaru Usman you're boogeyman but I'm the wolf

UFC phenom, Khamzat Chimaev continues to stoke the flames to a potential matchup with Kamaru Usman later this year.

For someone who built up his fearsome reputation for seemingly fighting anyone at a drop of a hat, it has been some time since Chimaev has competed – ten months to be exact. While Chimaev did have a lengthy time off between his fights with Gerald Meerschaert and Li Jingliang, this was due to a serious Covid-19 illness, one which almost saw him retire. So, it is odd that with seemingly no documented injury, visa or personal issues, that Chimaev has not fought since his one round demolition of Kevin Holland.

However, it has not stopped the Chechen born fighter to call out, and goad his contemporaries, calling out and being linked with several other fighters form 1790 to 185lbs. Recently though, there has been rumours flying regarded a fight with former welterweight champion, Usman, and the pair have since exchanged words via social media and interviews.

Khamzat Chimaev encourages Kamaru Usman to come up to middleweight

In the most back-and-forth between the pair, Usman had been asked about a potential matchup with Chimaev and explained he was open to the fight, but that ‘Borz’ had to be disciplined and make it to the welterweight limit.

‘Hey, this is the guy you guys are saying is the next guy in the division.’ OK, give me that guy. I said that to Dana,” Usman began. At the end of the day, I have been and still am the bogeyman of this division. I asked for (Khamzat). If you want to fight, you want to be a champion, cut the f—ng weight. And come and fight.” (H/T BloodyElbow)

Never one to hold his tongue, Chimaev responded to Usman, telling him to come meet him up at middleweight. Moving up in weight is something that Usman  had previously spoken about.

Khamzat Chimaev calls out Usman

“Kamaru Usman, Why you talking about me?” Chimaev asked. “You said you wanted to fight at 84 kilos [Middleweight], the weight is no problem for you. You are bogeyman, but I am the wolf. Come up.”

Who wins, Khamzat Chimaev or Kamaru Usman?

Kamaru Usman claims Khamzat Chimaev keeps ‘Flirting’ with him online amid failed fight: ‘Stop using me for clout’

Kamaru Usman claims Khamzat Chimaev is flirting with him online stop using me for clout UFCOff the back of a seemingly scuppered pairing against the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev, despite links to a UFC 294 matchup in October, former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman has claimed the Chechen-born contender is “flirting” with him on social media, however, has no actual interest in fighting against him. Usman, the current number one ranked […]

Kamaru Usman claims Khamzat Chimaev is flirting with him online stop using me for clout UFC

Off the back of a seemingly scuppered pairing against the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev, despite links to a UFC 294 matchup in October, former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman has claimed the Chechen-born contender is “flirting” with him on social media, however, has no actual interest in fighting against him.

Usman, the current number one ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since headlining UFC 286 back in March of this year, suffering a close, majority decision loss to Birmingham native, Leon Edwards in the pair’s championship trilogy rubber-match in London, England.

As for Chimaev, the undefeated number four ranked challenger has yet to return to the Octagon since he co-headlined UFC 279 back in September, securing his twelfth consecutive professional win, courtesy of a first round D’Arce choke submission win over Kevin Holland. 

Off the back of his second career loss to Edwards, Usman, who admitted he was chomping at the bit for an immediate return to the Octagon, has welcomed the possibility of fighting Chimaev as his next opponent, as the pair attempt to land a welterweight title fight.

However, a certain speedbump in the form of a catchweight clash between the two has arisen, with links to a UFC 294 clash in Abu Dhabi, UAE in October, firmly kiboshed by UFC leader, Dana White.

Kamaru Usman claims “logistical” issues led to failed Khamzat Chimaev fight

Claiming during fight week ahead of UFC 290 that “logistical” issues had forced the abandoning of a fight between himself and Chimaev, Auchi native, Usman urged the former to just cut sufficient weight, and fight him, or stop using him to bolster his name.”

“At the end of the day, I have been and still am the boogeyman of this division,” Kamaru Usman told assembled media during UFC 290. “I asked for (Khamzat Chimaev). If you want to fight, you want to be a champion, cut the f*cking weight. And come and fight.”

“… Khamzat is – at the end of the day, this guy keeps flirting with me online,” Kamaru Usman explained. “He’s flirting back and forth with me online. At this point, he’s using me for clout. If you want to fight, cut the weight and let’s fight. If not? Stop using me for clout. Stop flirting with me online.” 

Kamaru Usman addresses failed fight with Khamzat Chimaev: ‘I thought I was going to be fighting him too’

Kamaru Usman claims he thought he was fighting Khamzat Chimaev in UFC return as wellFormer undisputed welterweight champion and prior pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman claims akin to fans and onlookers, he also believed he was destined to stand opposite the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev in his next Octagon walk – claiming “logistical things” scuppered the UFC pairing. Usman, the current number one ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since […]

Kamaru Usman claims he thought he was fighting Khamzat Chimaev in UFC return as well

Former undisputed welterweight champion and prior pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman claims akin to fans and onlookers, he also believed he was destined to stand opposite the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev in his next Octagon walk – claiming “logistical things” scuppered the UFC pairing.

Usman, the current number one ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 286 back in March in London, England, suffering a title trilogy rubber match to rival, Leon Edwards in a majority decision loss to the Brimingham native. 

As for Chimaev, the current number four ranked contender has been himself out of action since he co-headlined UFC 279 back in September of last year, improving to 12-0 as a professional with a dominant first round D’Arce choke submission win over striking talent, Kevin Holland.

Yet to book his return to the Octagon, despite links to a UFC 294 return in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Chimaev has been tied to a potential fight with former undisputed welterweight kingpin, Usman, however, a clamored-for catchweight bout was thrown out by UFC president, Dana White.

Kamaru Usman claims “logistical things” have scuppered a fight with Khamzat Chimaev

However, according to Auchi native, Usman, he claims he also believed he was next in line to fight the highly-touted Chimaev in his planned return to the Octagon later this year.

“I’m good, I’m just training – falling back into love with my routine of training,” Kamaru Usman told assembled media ahead of UFC 290. “I mean, the last couple of years was just chaotic here and there, here and there. But [I’m] falling in love with that routine again. Just like you, I thought I was gonna be fighting Khamzat (Chimaev) too, but we’ll see what happens.”

“I mean, there’s a lot of logistically things, not necessarily on my end why it didn’t happen,” Kamaru Usman explained. “I’m up here, looking good, feeling good – I’m ready to fight.”