Khamzat Chimaev has pulled out of the UFC Fight Island 8 main event vs Leon Edwards for unknown reasons. (GETTY Images)
Khamzat Chimaev outlines plans for 2023, sets target on a fight with Colby Convington and Alex Pereira
Khamzat Chimaev has plans of becoming a multi-division champion in the UFC. The undefeated Chechen told ESPN that he has spoken with the UFC matchmaking team about travelling to Brazil to face 185-pound titleholder Alex Pereira. That potential fight would take place on January 21 at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro, and Chimaev has stated that he is open to fighting Colby Covington in March.
Speaking with Brett Okamoto of ESPN MMA, Chimaev stated:
“I’m ready for Pereira, too, in Brazil, and directly after that March if Colby wanna fight. So I think I might fight for the title 84 (kgs) and then go down to 77 (kgs) and fight Colby as well. Who’s fighting in Brazil? I don’t understand. It’s not that good of an event so if they let us fight, it will be a big event.”
Khamzat Chimaev claims that UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby responded to him and seems to be on board with the plan:
“He said, ‘OK brother, we go first Colby,’ so maybe Colby. For me it doesn’t matter. Colby is just not talking about that fight and about me. Colby when he fights somebody, he just doesn’t stop talking… so we will see. Belal talking about me as well so (if) he’s ready, he’s ready so 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.”
Chimaev is 6-0 in UFC competition, with only Gilbert Burns going the distance with him. Four of those victories have come in the first round, the most recent being a 17-second knockout of Gerald Meerschaert. Outside of Burns, few have presented a notable challenge to Chimaev, with the two winning a Fight of the Night award at UFC 273.
Leading up to UFC 273 UFC president Dana White had suggested that the welterweight bout between Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns will determine the next title contender at 170 lbs. However during UFC London, White had pledged that Leon Edwards is the next in line for the title, and the UFC head honcho has other plans for Chimaev should he win at UFC 273. Edwards went on to defeat Usman to become the new UFC welterweight champion where as Chimaev fought Kevin Holland last, scoring a quick first round submission victory.
Speaking about the Covington fight in the aforementioned interview, Chimaev stated:
“I can take him [Colby Covington] down, submit him, I can knock him out. [Kamaru] Usman dropped him, [Jorge] Masvidal dropped him, so why not me? If I punch him, he will no come up. He will sleep there long time.”
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