Khamzat Chimaev has shown Interest in Fighting Alex Pereira in Brazil at UFC 283
Khamzat Chimaev has been one of the most dominant stars in the UFC over the past few years. Chimaev not only shows aggression in the octagon, but his outside life is full of aggression. Recently, he called out the newly crowned UFC middleweight champion for a fight at UFC 283.
Khamzat Chimaev is 12-0 in his MMA career, including six victories in the UFC. He does not fight at middleweight, but he has previously in the UFC. He is fighting in the welterweight division. Chimaev could not meet the welterweight limit during UFC 279, where he was scheduled in the main event against Nate Diaz. Instead, Dana White had to change the main event, and Chimaev faced Kevin Holland and defeated him via round 1 submission.
After this, there are many speculations that Chimaev might move back up to the middleweight division. Hence, he challenged the new champion, Alex Pereira, for a fight at UFC’s event in Brazil, which is taking place in January 2023. He also wanted to face Colby Covington in March next year after Alex Pereira. He expressed his desire in an interview with ESPN. He said,
“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 [Israel] 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.”
“So I said to Sean Shelby and Dana 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.”
The interest from Khamzat Chimaev is not enough for the UFC to book a fight because Alex Pereira is the champion now and his wish also holds weight. Alex Pereira does not show any interest in this fight so far. Everyone is waiting for his answer.
UFC fighter Belal Muhammad called out Chimaev after his victory at UFC 280. Chimaev also had an answer for his callout. He said,
“Belal is talking about me as well, so he’s ready, he’s ready,” Chimaev said. “For me, it actually doesn’t matter. Just give me some fight and let’s fight. I’m ready. I’m ready for both divisions as well. If Prochazka and Teixeira, their fight, if somebody gets changed or something happens there, I’m ready for them as well.”
Khamzat Chimaev won fights against many top fighters in the welterweight division, including Gerald Meerschaert, Li Jingliang, Gilbert Burns and Kevin Holland. If UFC 279 mishap did not happen, Chimaev might get a title fight in his division. However, there is no guarantee that UFC would trust him to give the main event fight. Let’s see what UFC management will decide in future.
