
via Imago
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 28: Khamzat Chimaev of Chechnya interacts with media during the UFC 267 press conference at Etihad Arena on October 28, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC)

via Imago
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 28: Khamzat Chimaev of Chechnya interacts with media during the UFC 267 press conference at Etihad Arena on October 28, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC)
Khamzat Chimaev’s quest for gold will be propelled if he emerges as the victor in his fight against Nate Diaz, in the main event of UFC 279.
The undefeated fighter has stated on several occasions that he wants to fight for the belt and become a UFC champion; however, with Leon Edwards winning the belt, his plans might be delayed.
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Chimaev was asked about his thoughts on the Edwards vs Usman fight in an interview with ESPN. Borz said, “It was a crazy fight, good fight,”
Khamzat Chimaev didn’t hold back his thoughts on Kamaru Usman’s loss
He added, “it was funny to watch, the guy (Usman) was too much high up. I’m gonna fight with Canelo and all that things. He get shot, he wasn’t focused but said I’m always focused”
Khamzat Chimaev reminds Kamaru Usman he still has work to do before moving up 😬
Full story: https://t.co/xyknUOIn8W pic.twitter.com/FkAhaglKan
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) January 27, 2022
Usman was riding on a 15-fight win streak in the UFC. A victory would have seen him tie the all-time record of 16 wins by Anderson Silva. The Russian believes all this got into Usman’s head, hence, he lost the fight.
‘The Wolf’ also believes that Usman would not be the same fighter after the loss. He said, “I don’t think he’ll be the same guy again. In the mind. We’ve seen a lot of champions thinking, ‘Nobody can beat me,’ because he defends so many times, ‘Now I’m unbeatable,’ that kind of thing, and bam, somebody knocks you out. Now you know you’re human, as well.”

via Imago
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 30: Khamzat Chimaev of Sweden reacts after his victory over Li Jingliang of China in a welterweight fight during the UFC 267 event at Etihad Arena on October 30, 2021 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Earlier, it was speculated that, if Chimaev beats Diaz then he would face Usman for the belt. Nonetheless, all plans failed after Leon Edwards spoiled the party for Usman and defeated him to win the strap.
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Considering Usman’s resume, it’s highly likely that the Brit and the Nigerian would face each other in an immediate rematch, and Chimaev would be sitting on the sideline for a while.
Could Khamzat Chimaev move to Middleweight?
Chimaev expressed during the interview, that if it’s not Edwards, he can also consider going up a weight division and fighting the middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya.
You want to fly? @stylebender ✈️ pic.twitter.com/nJpmBXeYcj
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) November 13, 2020
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“If they want to do [the trilogy], for me no problem,” he said.
“I’m gonna take some other fight, and we will see what’s happening. Maybe Israel Adesanya or the other guy, Pereira. Who wins that, maybe fight with them. I don’t know.”
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What do you make of Chimaev’s comments? Do you see him moving up to middleweight? Let us know.
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