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Khamzat Chimaev’s double champ plan ruined by recent Israel Adesanya & Kamaru Usman losses

Khamzat Chimaev has had his eyes on the champ-champ status for a while, but those plans have been delayed after Adesanya & Usman’s shocking title losses. Ever since Khamzat Chimaev made his UFC debut in 2020, he’s almost been destined to fight for a title. And not just one. Chimaev has shown the ability to […]

Khamzat Chimaev has had his eyes on the champ-champ status for a while, but those plans have been delayed after Adesanya & Usman’s shocking title losses.

Ever since Khamzat Chimaev made his UFC debut in 2020, he’s almost been destined to fight for a title. And not just one. Chimaev has shown the ability to be a title challenger at both 185 pounds and 170. That’s why, as Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya neared clearing out their respective divisions, Khamzat Chimaev seemed like the right next opponent for both men.

However, after Leon Edwards’ upset against Usman and the recent Alex Pereira’s upset of Adesanya, Chimaev is unsure what his immediate future holds.

“Before, I was thinking if Kamaru Usman wins his fight, I will fight with him next,” Chimaev said. “But he lost. And I was thinking if Adesanya won his fight, who’s he going to fight? There’s only me. And he lost as well. Now (Pereira and Adesanya) want to rematch in March; I don’t know what they’re going to do.” (H/T by MMA Nytt).

Khamzat Chimaev looks to take over the 185 and 170-pound divisions in 2023

But one thing that hasn’t changed is Chimaev’s confidence. From the get-go, Chimaev has called for a title shot and has been nearing UFC gold with each subsequent victory. If it wasn’t for his weight-cut blunder against Nathan Diaz, his title picture odds would have been much clearer. But, now that it’s unsure he can make 170, he has to fight another contender before becoming the number one contender.

That doesn’t seem like a big deal to Chimaev who not only wants to fight Colby Covington in the coming months but wants to go up to 185 and immediately challenge the new champ.

“So I said to Sean Shelby and Dana (White) as well: I’m ready for Pereira in Brazil. Directly after that, March, if Colby wants to fight, I’d take my title and I’d go down to 170 and fight Colby as well.”

But Khamzat Chimaev’s middleweight title hopes largely depend on what Israel Adesanya wishes to do next. If Adesanya takes a break from fighting, as he did from kickboxing the last time he was stopped by Pereira, then Chimaev could slide into the title picture at 185.

But, if Adesanya is ready to go for an immediate rematch, then Chimaev will likely have to wait his turn and take on another dangerous contender at 170 after which he could finally get his chance at fighting for the belt.

Khamzat Chimaev verbally agrees to a rematch with Gilbert Burns at UFC 283

Khamzat Chimaev has verbally agreed to rematch Gilbert Burns at UFC 283 in Brazil – assuming the newly crowned middleweight champion, Alex Pereira is not ready to fight by then. At UFC 273, Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns put on a fight-of-the-year contender, leaving it all in the octagon as they traded blows for the […]

Khamzat Chimaev has verbally agreed to rematch Gilbert Burns at UFC 283 in Brazil – assuming the newly crowned middleweight champion, Alex Pereira is not ready to fight by then.

At UFC 273, Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns put on a fight-of-the-year contender, leaving it all in the octagon as they traded blows for the full three rounds. The judges scored the fight for Chimaev, but both men walked away with the crowd’s respect and admiration.

Since that fight, Khamzat Chimaev has fought once, in the co-main event of UFC 279. ‘Borz’ was initially scheduled to take on Nate Diaz, but after missing weight by a significant margin, he would instead face off against Kevin Holland in a catchweight bout. Chimaev put on one of his most clinical performances to date against ‘Trailblazer,’ taking the fight to the mat and quickly submitting him.

During this time, Burns has been unable to find an opponent to face, despite calling out the majority of the welterweight top 10. Jorge Masvidal did recently verbally accept a fight with ‘Durinho,’ claiming he would face the Brazilian on the undercard of Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3.

However, Burns is hoping to feature on the UFC’s return to Brazil in January of 2023. One man who is also hoping to get on that card is Chimaev. ‘Borz’ has been calling for a fight with newly crowned middleweight champion Alex Pereira. However, it seems extremely unlikely that ‘Poatan’ will be ready to fight so soon after his five-round war with Israel Adesanya.

As a result, Chimaev has called for a fight with Burns, stating:

“(Gilbert Burns) if Alex not ready to be killed, let’s go du it again in Brazil 84 kg this time.”

Burns was quick to respond, stating that he would be happy to fight Khamzat Chimaev at any weight.

UFC Brazil already has a number of exciting fights booked, including a 4th fight between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno. However, Dana White has stated that the UFC are still filling the card out, and a rematch between ‘Borz’ and ‘Durinho’ would no doubt fit the bill.

Would you like to see a rematch between Gilbert Burns and Khamzat Chimaev?

Khamzat Chimaev Dismisses Francis Ngannou’s Fighter Pay Complaints

Khamzat Chimaev isn’t buying what UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou is selling regarding his take on UFC fighter pay. Chimaev last fought against Kevin Holland at UFC 279 earlier this year. He’s allegedly in the works to face Colby C…

Continue Reading Khamzat Chimaev Dismisses Francis Ngannou’s Fighter Pay Complaints at MMA News.

Khamzat Chimaev Names Three High-Stakes Options For Next Fight

UFC star Khamzat Chimaev is eager to get back in the Octagon and has a slew of potential fights on his mind for his return. Chimaev hasn’t fought since a win over Kevin Holland at UFC 279 earlier this year. He’s training for his return in S…

Continue Reading Khamzat Chimaev Names Three High-Stakes Options For Next Fight at MMA News.

Khamzat Chimaev eyes Alex Pereira fight following UFC 281: “Ready to fight in Brazil”

Khamzat Chimaev is eyeing up a fight with newly crowned middleweight champion, Alex Pereira. Last night at UFC 281, the MMA world was witness to a massive middleweight shakeup as Pereira would knockout long-reigning champion, Israel Adesanya. Pereira would land a left hook in the fifth round that would stun Adesanya, ‘Poatan’ would then […]

Khamzat Chimaev is eyeing up a fight with newly crowned middleweight champion, Alex Pereira.

Last night at UFC 281, the MMA world was witness to a massive middleweight shakeup as Pereira would knockout long-reigning champion, Israel Adesanya.

Pereira would land a left hook in the fifth round that would stun Adesanya, ‘Poatan’ would then follow up with a couple of shots before referee Mark Goddard would call an end to the fight as Adesanya stood uneasily against the cage.

The win not only signifies the end of Adesanya’s era but the start of a new one for the 185lb division. Middleweight had begun to stagnate under Adesanya, who had cleared out any viable contenders before the arrival of Pereira, whose wins opens up numerous exciting matchups and scenarios.

Khamzat Chimaev wants Alex Pereira

Pereira showed some vulnerability to grappling, being taken down and having his back taken by Adesanya who is hardly known for his offensive grappling.

It would be a surprise then that explosive grappler, Khamzat Chimaev would call for his shot at Pereira.

‘*Ready to fight in Brazil @AlexPereiraUFC let’s go champ’*– Khamzat Chimaev

Chimaev is seemingly just one big win away from earning a crack at the UFC welterweight title, but it is almost a guarantee that Chimaev will at one stage have to make the move up to middleweight on a permanent basis.

Chimaev’s weight issues have been well documented, missing weight for his headlining bout against Nate Diaz by an extraordinary 7.5lbs, causing the entire card to be reshuffled.

UFC president says he will give Chimaev one more opportunity to make the 170lb limit, which is rumored to be against former title challenger, Coby Covington.

Who would win, Khamzat Chimaev or Alex Pereira?

Stephen Thompson believes Khamzat Chimaev’s future is at 185lbs, still excited by the rumored Colby Covington matchup: “Is he gonna make weight?”

Stephen Thompson has shared his belief that undefeated title contender, Khamzat Chimaev, would be better suited to compete at middleweight but admits a rumored matchup with Colby Covington would make for an exciting affair. Thompson’s claim comes after Khamzat Chimaev horrendously missed weight at UFC 279 and subsequently was removed from the main-event matchup with […]

Thompson’s claim comes after Khamzat Chimaev horrendously missed weight at UFC 279 and subsequently was removed from the main-event matchup with Nate Diaz. A quick card shuffle saw Chimaev then matched up with Kevin Holland in the co-main event slot who he would submit inside the first round.

Speaking to MMA journalist James Lynch in a recent interview, Thompson gave his reasoning on why he feels Chimaev should move up a weight class but also shared his excitement for the speculative matchup with Colby Covington which is rumored to be occurring at UFC London in 2023.

Stephen Thompson Questions Khamzat Chimaev’s ability to make welterweight

“From what I hear, he’s a very strong welterweight,” Stephen Thompson stated.

“He should be at 185. I don’t even understand why he’s still at 170. I know they’re trying to get him to fight Colby Covington, which I think is gonna be a fun fight. That’s gonna be a fun fight [against] somebody who’s as strong a wrestler as Khamzat. But the thing is, is he gonna make weight? Can he make weight?”

“Don’t take anything away from Kevin Holland after that fight. I mean, it was a days’ notice. Fighting somebody as big and strong and wrestling savvy as Chimaev, I thought he held his own right there in the first round. A lot of crazy scrambles.”

“He’s very scrappy on the ground. He really is; Kevin is. Which was kinda messed up, he goes in to give him a high five and he [Chimaev] shoots right in for the legs, ends up taking him down. I’m like, oh, come on, man. Should’ve just gave the guy a high five.” (Transcribed by BloodyElbow)

Given Chimaev is currently ranked third in the welterweight standings and a potential title eliminator with Colby Covington speculated to be on the horizon, it seems unlikely that ‘Borz’ will be wanting to jump divisions anytime soon.

However, in the future, this could be a very likely possibility with his fighting style being seen as problematic for the current middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya.

Do you agree with Stephen Thompson’s opinion on Khamzat Chimaev?