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LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 7: Khamzat Chimaev speaks to the media during the UFC 279 media day on September 7, 2022, at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Amy Kaplan/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 7: Khamzat Chimaev speaks to the media during the UFC 279 media day on September 7, 2022, at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Amy Kaplan/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev is one of the best prospects in the promotion. The Chechen-born fighter has an undefeated record 0f 12-0 and is touted by many to become a future UFC champion. However, he recently missed an opportunity to fight one of the biggest stars in the company, Nate Diaz.
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Chimaev was initially booked to face Diaz at welterweight but he missed weight by over 7.5 pounds weighing in at 178 pounds. This resulted in him taking on middleweight contender Kevin Holland, who he beat in a dominant fashion. He submitted Holland with a D’Arce choke at 2:13 of the opening round, adding another win to his undefeated record.
Following this, ‘Borz’ took to the mic in an iconic post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. He declared himself the best black belt fighter and the best boxer comparing himself to the likes of Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali.
“I’m the black belt here, my best coach is a boxer. I’m the best boxer. I’m Mike Tyson I’m Muhammad Ali.” He said. Chimaev seemed confident in his abilities to the point that he was willing to make this bold claim. However, this needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
Read More: 56-Year-Old Mike Tyson Shows His Physique Weeks After Health Scare
As far as boxing is concerned The Chechen is far from the level of Iron Mike or Ali. He is an MMA fighter who has a wrestling background and prefers to fight on the mat. Although he is a decent striker he is not even close to the best in the UFC let alone boxing.
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What’s next for Khamzat Chimaev
Chimaev signed with the UFC back in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. He went to make the headlines after picking up two wins in just 10 days, setting a UFC record. Moreover, he looked dominant inside the Octagon on Saturday against Holland as he shot straight into a takedown in the fight’s opening seconds and took Holland to the floor, and had little trouble submitting him.

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JACKSONVILLE, FL – APRIL 9: Khamzat Chimaev battles Gilbert Burns in their Welterweight fight during the UFC 273 event at on April 9, 2022, at Vystar Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Chimaev is already in discussion for a welterweight title shot, which has been the case since his arrival in the promotion. He was catapulted into a fight with former title challenger Gilbert Burns and proved he could battle elite competition, beating him in a close fight. The sky is the limit for the rising star with plans to capture belts in multiple divisions.
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Do you think Chimaev is as good of a boxer as Mike Tyson? Let us know in the comments.
WATCH THIS STORY: Five Infamous Altercations of Mike Tyson outside the Ring
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