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Khamzat Chimaev blasts UFC for his inactivity ahead of October return: ‘They’re hiding that belt from me’

Khamzat Chimaev blames inactivity on the UFC they're hiding the title from me Undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has accused the UFC from preventing him from fighting for a championship under their banner, blaming the Dana White-led organization for his continued spell of inactivity since September of last year. Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, is slated to co-headline UFC 294 next month in Abu Dhabi, […]

Undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has accused the UFC from preventing him from fighting for a championship under their banner, blaming the Dana White-led organization for his continued spell of inactivity since September of last year.

Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, is slated to co-headline UFC 294 next month in Abu Dhabi, UAE – taking on one-time middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa in a return to the middleweight limit, as the two clash in a potential title-eliminator.

Sidelined from the Octagon since he took co-main event honors at UFC 279 last September, Chimaev landed his twelfth consecutive victory – defeating recent Noche UFC feature, Kevin Holland with a dominant opening round D’Arce choke submission win.

Khamzat Chimaev blames his lack of activity on the UFC

However, yet to compete in the entire year since, Chimaev, who had previously blamed the UFC for his lack of activity over the course of the last annum, has claimed the organization are preventing him from fighting for an Octagon title.

“I don’t know why the guys [UFC] are waiting,” Khamzat Chimaev said on his official YouTube channel. “Give that chance [to fight for a championship] to me. They are hiding that belt from me.”

“Anyway, like I said: when I smash everybody, they have to give that belt to me,” Khamzat Chimaev concluded.

Prior to his submission win over impromptu opponent, Holland, Chimaev turned in a close decision win over former welterweight title challenger, Gilbert Burns last year to boot – and also offered props to newly-crowned middleweight champion, Sean Strickland on his championship win over Israel Adesanya earlier this month.

“He works hard, he deserves it,” Khamzat Chimaev said of Sean Strickland. “The guy is always in the gym. Now he got the belt. He has a good coach, a good team. I’ve been there training with that guy. They deserve that belt. He has been active, and fights with everybody.”

Does Khamzat Chimaev earn a title fight with a victory at UFC 294 next month?

Khamzat Chimaev heaps praise on Sean Strickland after UFC title victory: ‘He works hard, he deserves it’

Ahead of his own Octagon comeback next month at UFC 294, surging welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has showered praise on newly-minted undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland – claiming the Covina native “deserves” every part of his title reign. Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, may see himself vying for middleweight division spoils in […]

Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, may see himself vying for middleweight division spoils in the near future, making a divisional return at UFC 294 next month in a potential title-eliminator opposite one-time championship chaser, Paulo Costa in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

As for Strickland, the Xtreme Couture staple managed to land undisputed middleweight gold at UFC 293 at the beginning of this month, turning in a unanimous decision shutout victory over two-time champion, Israel Adesanya, defeating the City Kickboxing staple in a huge shock win for the challenger.

Khamzat Chimaev praises Sean Strickland after UFC 293 title win

Sharing his thoughts on Strickland’s unlikely ascension to the middleweight throne, AllStars MMA staple, Chimaev heaped paise on the former, crediting his work ethic to his current run atop the division.

“He works hard, he deserves it,” Khamzat Chimaev said of Sean Strickland on his official YouTube channel. “The guy is always in the gym. Now he got the belt. He has a good coach, good team. I’ve been there training with that guy. They deserve that belt. He has been active, fights with everybody.”

Expected to make his Octagon return in the early goings of next year, Strickland has been pegged to potentially defend his middleweight throne in an immediate championship rematch against the above-mentioned, Adesanya.

However, over the course of the weekend, away from the Octagon, reports emerged detailing how Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Adesanya was involved in an alleged drink driving incident in Auckland Central, New Zealand – just three weeks out from his title fight with Strickland, which the former champion has now pleaded guilty to.

Would you like to see Khamzat Chimaev fight Sean Strickland in the future?

Mateusz Gamrot eager to test grappling against Charles Oliveira after UFC Vegas 79: ‘He’s the most dangerous’

Off the back of his victory over striking ace, Rafael Fiziev last night in the main event of UFC Vegas 79, Polish grappling talent, Mateusz Gamrot has claimed he wants to test his grappling ability in the future against former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira. Gamrot, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the […]

Gamrot, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of European outfit, KSW, landed a second round TKO win over Tiger Muay Thai striking ace, Fiziev last night in the main event of UFC Vegas 79, after the latter suffered a knee injury after a miscued kick attempt.

The victory came as number seven rated, Gamrot’s second consecutively, after he previously scored a split decision win over Jalin Turner at the lightweight limit back in March at UFC 285.

Mateusz Gamrot calls out Charles Oliveira after UFC Vegas 79 win

And in the immediate aftermath of his TKO win over Fiziev last night, Gamrot reminded viewers of his grappling ability – claiming he would love to test his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu prowess against the promotion’s most prolific submission grappler, Oliveira.

“Everybody [says] I am a wrestler, I am a striker, I really believe in myself [as a grappler],” Mateusz Gamrot told assembled media after UFC Vegas 79. “I won many BJJ tournaments, and I won two times at the ADCC trials. In the next one, I would like to test myself against Charles Oliveira because he’s the most dangerous guy on the ground.”

“My previous opponents every time it is stand up and like the ground is hot for everybody,” Mateusz Gamrot explained. “But the next one, I would like to challenge myself on the ground, you know, I want to show my really good skills in Jiu-Jitsu. I want to show how good I am on the ground, and I think this guy will be the first guy in my career who’s gonna fight with me on the ground.”

Booking his return at UFC 294 next month, Oliveira takes on undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev in the pair’s championship rematch atop an Abu Dhabi, UAE pay-per-view card.

Would you like to see Mateusz Gamrot take on Charles Oliveira in the future?

Gilbert Burns wants to see a double knockout between Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa at UFC 294

Gilbert Burns doesn’t see Paulo Costa giving Khamzat Chimaev much more of a challenge than he himself did last year. On October 21, Costa and Chimaev will make their respective returns to the Octagon after more than a year on the shelf. Emanating from Etihiad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UFC 294 will feature a stacked […]

Gilbert Burns doesn’t see Paulo Costa giving Khamzat Chimaev much more of a challenge than he himself did last year.

On October 21, Costa and Chimaev will make their respective returns to the Octagon after more than a year on the shelf. Emanating from Etihiad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UFC 294 will feature a stacked night of fights, but few are more intriguing than the middleweight matchup pitting an undefeated Chechen monster against the one-time title challenger.

Chimaev goes into the contest on the cusp of his first title opportunity, but if Costa manages to score what many would consider to be an upset, he could walk straight into his second crack at UFC gold.

Gilbert Burns doesn’t see that happening.

Stepping inside the Octagon with Chimaev at UFC 273, Burns gave ‘Borz’ the toughest test of his career thus far, but it still wasn’t enough as the Chechen came out on top via a unanimous decision. Speaking with Mike Owens in a MiddleEasy exclusive interview, ‘Durinho’ suggested that Costa doesn’t have the heart needed to survive the kind of onslaught that Chimaev brings to his opponents.

“He’s a big guy, but I don’t think he has the heart that I have,” Burns said. “I don’t think he has the jiu-jitsu that I have. He doesn’t have the get-ups that I have. He doesn’t have the submission threat that I have that makes Khamzat not want to grapple.

“He’s a very strong and big guy, but if I had to guess – and I don’t like both of these guys, a double knockout would be the best result – but it’s a 50-50 fight,” Burns added. “If Khamzat is able to take him down, it’ll be a hard night for Costa. If Costa is able to defend the takedown, it’ll be a hard night for Khamzat.”

While we wouldn’t put any money on a double knockout finish, it has happened before. During the Ultimate Fighter 5 finale in 2007, Gray Maynard and Robert Emerson were both unable to continue their contest following an attempted takedown from Maynard. Lifting up Emerson during a double leg, Maynard slammed his opponent back down to the canvas, instantly breaking Emerson’s ribs and causing him to tap out immediately. However, Maynard knocked himself out in the process by hitting his head on the canvas. The bout was ruled a no contest as both men were unable to continue.

So, never say never.

Shavkat Rakhmonov eyes UFC 294 return amid links to Jack Della Maddalena fight: ‘I think I can beat him’

Amid links to an eventual clash with undefeated welterweight finishing ace, Shavkat Rakhmonov – Jack Della Maddalena has been suggested as the ideal opponent to welcome the Uzbekistan native back to the Octagon, after the Australian previously claimed he believed he could beat the former. Rakhmonov, the current number six ranked welterweight contender, has been […]

Rakhmonov, the current number six ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined from active competition since he stopped Geoff Neal with a third round standing rear-naked choke back in March at UFC 295 – improving his stunning professional record to 17-0, retaining his blistering 100 per cent finishing rate to boot.

And expected to return at Noche UFC over the course of the weekend, the highly-touted, Shavkat Rakhmonov saw a pivotal clash with former interim middleweight title challenger, Kelvin Gastelum fall to the wayside amid an injury during sparring for the latter.

Shavkat Rakhmonov teases return at either UFC 294 or UFC 295

Not receiving a re-worked pairing for the Mexican Independence Day card, Rakhmonov appeared to be tuning in to watch the above-mentioned, Della Maddalena’s split decision win over Kevin Holland, posting “I’m still available for UFC 294 or UFC 295.” on his official X account.

I’m still available for UFC 294 or UFC 295

— Shavkat “Nomad” Rakhmonov (@Rakhmonov1994) September 17, 2023

In the midst of a stunning five fight winning spree, Rakhmonov, who has been widely tipped to contender for Octagon spoils in the future, has landed consecutive wins over Alex Oliveira, Michel Prazeres, Carlston Harris, Neil Magny, and the above-mentioned, Neal during his brief Octagon tenure.

And fans have immediately linked Rakhmonov to a potential comeback in November at Madison Square Garden against Australian talent, Della Maddalena – particularly after recent claims from the Aussie that he had the beating of the former.

“I think Shavkat (Rakhmonov) would be a good fight,” Jack Della Maddalena said. “I would like to test myself against him. I think I can beat him.” (H/T Essentially Sports)

Would you like to see Shavkat Rakhmonov fight Jack Della Maddalena next?

Paulo Costa floated as potential opponent for Sean Strickland after UFC 293 title win: ‘I know they had beef’

While an immediate championship rematch between Sean Strickland and former champion, Israel Adesanya has been widely floated in the fallout from UFC 293, the newly-minted champion’s teammate, Chris Curtis, has claimed Strickland should fight incoming UFC 294 feature, Paulo Costa in his first attempted title defense. Strickland, who headlined his first pay-per-view event under the […]

Strickland, who headlined his first pay-per-view event under the banner of the Dana White-led promotion last weekend, managed to turn in a one of the most jaw-dropping title upset victories to boot, defeating two-time champion, Adesanya in a one-sided unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) success in Sydney, Australia.

And in the immediate aftermath of the shocking upset triumphs, Strickland has been lined up to fight Adesanya in the immediate future in a rematch turnaround, particularly by promotional leader, White.

As far as Adesanya’s head coach is concerned, a rematch between his City Kickboxing student, and newly-crowned titleholder, Strickland could take place as soon as December at UFC 296, or in the opening months of next year.

Could Sean Strickland defend his title against Paulo Costa next?

However, according to middleweight contender, Curtis, the Xtreme Couture staple has claimed his training partner, Strickland and Brazilian favorite, Paulo Costa should share the Octagon next.

“Honestly, I really want to see him (Sean Strickland) fight Paulo (Costa),” Chris Curtis told MMA Fighting. “I know they had beef, and I know Sean really wanted to fight Paulo. He really wanted to beat him up and there was some talk going on there, and Paulo found a reason not to fight.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

The one-time middleweight title challenger has his hands most definitely full at the time of publication despite Curtis’ backing for a title fight with Strickland, with Costa set to feature at UFC 294 next month, welcoming undefeated Chechen finisher, Khamzat Chimaev back to the middleweight limit and active competition to boot.

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