Tag: Khamzat Chimaev

Bo Nickal sees himself competing against Khamzat Chimaev in the ‘biggest fight in UFC history’

Bo NickalIn his mind, Bo Nickal had made the walk to the Octagon many times before. This Saturday night, the three-time NCAA Division I national champion will do it for real when he makes his official debut as part of a stacked lineup at UFC 285. Welcoming him to combat sports’ grandest stage will be Jamie […]

Bo Nickal

In his mind, Bo Nickal had made the walk to the Octagon many times before.

This Saturday night, the three-time NCAA Division I national champion will do it for real when he makes his official debut as part of a stacked lineup at UFC 285. Welcoming him to combat sports’ grandest stage will be Jamie Pickett, a 13-8 fighter with eight of those victories coming by way of knockout.

Ahead of his highly anticipated debut, Bo Nickal addressed the media to answer questions about his mindset going into his big debut at the T-Mobile Arena and how he plans to handle the pressure of the moment through visualization.

“I think the important thing about visualization is making it really real, making it a really visceral experience,” Nickal told reporters during a pre-fight news conference. “I think there’s technique that goes into visualization, just like there’s technique that goes into fighting. For me, it’s making the experience as real as possible, imagining not only what I’ll see but what it’s going to sound like, what it’s going to smell like, what the concrete is going to feel like underneath my feet, what the cage is going to feel like under my feet, and just making it as real as possible for me.

“So when I go in there for the first time, it really won’t be the first time because I’ve imagined it so many times in my mind. That’s just a very powerful practice” (h/t MMA Junkie).

Bo Nickal Envisions Himself Competing in the Biggest Fight in UFC History

One vision that Bo Nickal hopes to make a reality is a fight with undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev. Nickal envisions the “inevitable” showdown taking place in Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium with a packed crowd of 100,000 people there to see what he believes will be the biggest fight in UFC history.

“(Khamzat Chimaev) is probably the biggest, most hyped guy coming up right now that hasn’t won a belt yet. I think eventually, us clashing is inevitable. That’s something that I visualize in my training and when I’m in a hard workout, getting my last bike sprint in, getting my last rep in, in the weight room, I’m visualizing that.

“Whether that fight comes in a year, or three years, or five years, or whatever it is, I’ll be ready. I do a lot of visualization and I see that fight happening as a main event in Raiders’ Stadium in front of 100,0000 people. I think it would be the biggest fight in UFC history. Only time will tell whether or not we get that, but I’m doing everything in my power to make that happen.”

After dispatching Zack Borrego and Donovan Beard in back-to-back fights on Dana White‘s Contender Series, Bo Nickal expressed his desire to compete against Chimaev during an appearance on Michael Bisping’s Believe You Me podcast. Of course, Nickal has a long way to go before the UFC can justify giving him a crack at the No. 3 ranked welterweight contender. A decisive win on Saturday night would be the first step toward making that possibility a reality.

Are you interested in seeing Bo Nickal put his collegiate wrestling skills to the test against Khamzat Chimaev?

Khamzat Chimaev coach Andreas Michael says they’re only interested in top dogs and title fights

Khamzat ChimaevAs Khamzat Chimaev‘s stock rose, so did the difficulty of finding an opponent that was both willing to sign on the dotted line and made sense for the undefeated Chechen. Khamzat Chimaev’s last appearance inside the Octagon came in September when a botched weight cut forced the UFC to shuffle around their UFC 279 card […]

Khamzat Chimaev

As Khamzat Chimaev‘s stock rose, so did the difficulty of finding an opponent that was both willing to sign on the dotted line and made sense for the undefeated Chechen.

Khamzat Chimaev’s last appearance inside the Octagon came in September when a botched weight cut forced the UFC to shuffle around their UFC 279 card to avoid a potential cancellation. Since then, Khamzat Chimaev has been seemingly calling out everyone at the top of both the welterweight and middleweight divisions, but thus far nobody has answered the call. Chimaev’s coach Andreas Michael recently made an appearance on Submission Radio, sharing his fighter’s frustration over the lack of competitors willing to step up and accept the fight under reasonable terms.

“Yeah, it has [been frustrating] actually, because we’re used to getting fights back-to-back,” he said. “And a lot of people say they want it, but they don’t want it. Or they price themselves out. Like, ‘I want this and that’, and then all of a sudden they want a million dollars when their contract is like 50/50. So, it’s not logical either. That’s the fight game” (h/t MMA Mania).

Michael did clarify that there are plenty of fighters willing to step up and try to make a name for themselves off of Khamzat Chimaev’s popularity, but the only fights that make sense at this point would be against top dogs and titleholders.

“People say they wanna fight but they don’t want to fight. People price themselves out,” he said. “There’s some people that, of course they wanna fight as well, but they don’t make sense. So, there’s a lot of factors [that go] into things. We’re not just gonna fight just for the fight’s sake. Things have to pave the way forward. Of course there’s a lot of people that wanna fight Khamzat. And if he just wanted to, he’d just be like, ‘okay, who’s in the top 20?’. But I think we’re past that, aren’t we?

“I think we need to get the top dogs right now, or go for a title fight. The top dogs. Like, the number one contender or a title fight. And that’s why there’s not a lot of choices out there at the moment, because our spectrum has closed. It was broad before. Now it’s closed down. We’re honing in. We want the number one contender or the champ. Preferably the champ. And I think he’s earned it.”

Andreas Michael Wants a UFC Title Shot Above All Else for Khamzat Chimaev

Following Alex Pereira’s defeat of Israel Adesanya at UFC 281, rumors began to swirl that Khamzat Chimaev would be the first man to challenge Pereira for his newly won UFC gold. When that fight didn’t materialize, ‘Borz’ turned his attention to former UFC champion and perennial contender Robert Whittaker. As we know, that fight never came together leaving Khamzat Chimaev on the sidelines waiting for the next offer from the UFC.

“For me, guys, I would prefer a title shot,” he told Submission Radio. “You know, just go right to the meat and potatoes. So, I just want to go for it directly, if I had to choose. But Robert Whitaker didn’t have a fight. He was one of the few that was free at the moment, but that didn’t materialize either for different reasons. And I just think that the guy’s looking for a fight. An amazing guy. Amazing. And a great fighter as well. A great fighter. So, he was just putting the dots together.

“And Khamzat wanted it. He wants to fight everyone, actually. So, we have to pull the reins in a little bit. And that’s our job. That’s our job to make sense of everything happening and guide him in the right place.”

Currently, Khamzat Chimaev is focusing on his religion and has no intentions of returning until after Ramadan which runs from March 22 to April 21. Upon his return, ‘Borz’ will likely be eyeing a matchup with the winner Edwards vs. Usman III on March 18 or Pereira vs. Adesanya II on April 8.

Khamzat Chimaev’s Coach Explains Reason For Delayed UFC Return

UFC star Khamzat Chimaev’s head coach, Andreas Michael, has given an update on his highly anticipated return to the Octagon. Chimaev last fought against Kevin Holland in the UFC 279 co-main event, earning a first-round submission. He was supposed…

UFC star Khamzat Chimaev’s head coach, Andreas Michael, has given an update on his highly anticipated return to the Octagon. Chimaev last fought against Kevin Holland in the UFC 279 co-main event, earning a first-round submission. He was supposed to face Nate Diaz before missing weight hours before the event. Chimaev is focused on a…

Continue Reading Khamzat Chimaev’s Coach Explains Reason For Delayed UFC Return at MMA News.

Shavkat Rakhmonov not focusing on potential future bout with Khamzat Chimaev: “If we are meant to fight, we’re gonna fight.”

Shavkat Rakhmonov, Khamzat ChimaevUFC welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov wouldn’t lose sleep if he never fights Khamzat Chimaev in his career. During an interview with Sportskeeda, Rakhmonov was asked if he’d be disappointed with never meeting Chimaev inside the octagon. He explained how he has an interest in a fight with “Borz” but wouldn’t be upset if the two never […]

Shavkat Rakhmonov, Khamzat Chimaev

UFC welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov wouldn’t lose sleep if he never fights Khamzat Chimaev in his career.

During an interview with Sportskeeda, Rakhmonov was asked if he’d be disappointed with never meeting Chimaev inside the octagon. He explained how he has an interest in a fight with “Borz” but wouldn’t be upset if the two never fight.

“No, not reality. If we are meant to fight, we’re gonna fight,” Rakhmonov said via a translator. “If not, It’s not big of a deal but of course, I have my own sports interest to compete with him but [if] it’s not gonna happen, it’s not a big deal.”

Shavkat Rakhmonov Thinks Khamzat Chimaev Would Have Success in the Middleweight Division 

The 28-year-old also thinks Chimaev would crack the top-five if he makes a permanent move up to the UFC middleweight division. Fans have expressed interest in a potential fight between the two undefeated fighters. 

“Nomad” (16-0) is unbeaten in his professional MMA career. He has wins over Alex Oliveira, Michael Prazeres, Carlston Harris, and Neil Magny. He last secured a second-round submission win over Magny in June 2022. Chimaev (12-0) is also unbeaten in his career. He last submitted Kevin Holland last September at UFC 279. 

Rakhmonov is scheduled to face Geoff Neal on March 4 at UFC 285.

What’s Next After UFC 307? Full Confirmed UFC 308 Main Card For Abu Dhabi On Oct. 26

UFC 307 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering. The promotion was in Salt Lake City last week, where the Delta Center played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest major card in the “Beehive State.” Of note were title fight wins for […]

Continue Reading What’s Next After UFC 307? Full Confirmed UFC 308 Main Card For Abu Dhabi On Oct. 26 at MMA News.

UFC 307 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering.

The promotion was in Salt Lake City last week, where the Delta Center played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest major card in the “Beehive State.” Of note were title fight wins for Alex Pereira and Julianna Peña, as well as important victories for Kayla Harrison and Joaquin Buckley.

While the aftermath of the October 5 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the light heavyweight title picture to the 145-pound championship conversation.

At UFC 308, set for the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on October 26, reigning featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria will compete for the second time this year, this time in defense of gold. Following a knockout of Alexander Volkanovski to capture the crown, “El Matador” will next face the challenge of BMF titleholder Max Holloway.

Stakes will also be high in the co-headliner, as former middleweight champ Robert Whittaker looks to continue his fine winning form in 2024. “The Reaper” is set for a second attempt at sharing the cage with Khamzat Chimaev following their canceled headliner in Saudi Arabia this past June.

Ankalaev, Murphy, Magomedov Set The Stage For Title Headliners At UFC 308

Before Topuria defends his belt and Whittaker looks to secure a shot at regaining champ status in the Middle East, a number of other high-profile names will take to the Octagon looking to make the most of their position on the major card.

That includes surging featherweight Lerone Murphy. Despite an impressive main event win over Edson Barboza earlier this year, “The Miracle” will be defending his #12 spot in the rankings against Dan Ige, who is returning for the first time since his same-day assignment opposite Diego Lopes this past June.

Prior to that, Pereira’s next challenger at light heavyweight could be decided as #2-ranked contender Magomed Ankalaev shares the cage with the highly regarded Aleksandar Raki?

And opening the main card will be a familiar face in the Middle East, Sharabutdin Magomedov. Two of “Bullet’s” Octagon wins have come in Abu Dhabi, with the other going down in Saudi Arabia. The Russian will make the walk inside Etihad Arena again on Oct. 26, this time to throw down with Armen Petrosyan.

Those pairings have gotten the nod to feature on the main card over the welterweight clash between ex-lightweight titleholder Rafael dos Anjos and Geoff Neal, which is currently slated to top the preliminary portion of the event.

See below for the full UFC 308 card, as it stands.

Main Card:

  • Featherweight Championship Main Event: Ilia Topuria (C) vs. Max Holloway
  • Middleweight Co-Main Event: Robert Whittaker vs. Max Holloway
  • Featherweight: Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige
  • Light Heavyweight: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Raki?
  • Middleweight: Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan

Preliminary Card:

  • Welterweight: Geoff Neal vs. Rafael dos Anjos
  • Lightweight: Mateusz R?becki vs. Myktybek Orolbai
  • Bantamweight: Said Nurmagomedov vs. Daniel Santos
  • Middleweight: Abus Magomedov vs. Brunno Ferreira
  • Heavyweight: Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Justin Tafa
  • Bantamweight: Farid Basharat vs. Victor Hugo
  • Welterweight: Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
  • Middleweight: Bruno Silva vs. Ismail Naurdiev
  • Light Heavyweight: Ibo Aslan vs. Raffael Cerqueira
Magomed Ankalaev
Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC

Continue Reading What’s Next After UFC 307? Full Confirmed UFC 308 Main Card For Abu Dhabi On Oct. 26 at MMA News.

Nate Diaz denies he was offered $2 Million offer to fight Khamzat Chimaev: “Lacks a shred of truth.”

Nate Diaz Khamzat ChimaevStockton’s Nate Diaz and Sweden’s Khamzat Chimaev were booked in the headlining fight for UFC 279 until a massive weight miss threw the entire event into chaos. ‘Borz’ Khamzat Chimaev missed the welterweight 170 lbs limit and was nearly at middleweight. After this incident, Nate Diaz refused to face Chimaev and the booking got shuffled. […]

Nate Diaz Khamzat Chimaev

Stockton’s Nate Diaz and Sweden’s Khamzat Chimaev were booked in the headlining fight for UFC 279 until a massive weight miss threw the entire event into chaos.

‘Borz’ Khamzat Chimaev missed the welterweight 170 lbs limit and was nearly at middleweight. After this incident, Nate Diaz refused to face Chimaev and the booking got shuffled. Diaz would instead face perennial lightweight contender Tony Ferguson and Chimaev met Kevin Holland.

According to ‘Borz,’ during the mess of reshuffling the event, Chechen dictator Ramazan Kadryov offered Nate Diaz $2 Million to accept the fight against Khamzat Chimaev. In an interview with Captain Hardcore on YouTube, Chimaev claimed:

“Ramzan Akhmatovich called me and said he would give Nate $2 million to agree to the fight. I told Diaz, but he still refused. He didn’t want to fight me and just found another option.”

Team Nate Diaz refutes Khamzat Chimaev’s claim

Nate Diaz’s manager Zach Rosenfield reached out to ESPN’s Marc Raimondi and issued a statement. He said:

“It is fun fiction for Khamzat. Just lacks a shred of truth, including what he was supposed to make. At what point in Khamzat’s fairy tale did he ask Nate? When he tapped out of his weight cut at 2 AM? When he was being held in isolation at the UFC PI so the story wouldn’t get out? The only millions that were negotiated on Friday were the millions more we got for fighting Tony after Khamzat was not professional enough to show up for the fight we asked for.”