

UFC 273 was a litmus test for Khamzat Chimaev; and ‘Borz’passed it as he won via unanimous decision over a game Gilbert Burns. Even though he won the fight, Chimaev still faced criticism from the fans, and the same fans that wanted him to face Kamaru Usman or even challenge Israel Adesanya now have changed their tones.
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Recently, the Swede teased future opponents in a tweet directed toward the UFC champions.
“Who wants to fight,” Chimaev wrote and tagged Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman.
who wants to fight ? @stylebender @USMAN84kg pic.twitter.com/wO2iYuzMZE
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) May 2, 2022
Though Chimaev showed courage in calling tough opponents after facing adversaries inside the Octagon, fans didn’t see it that way.
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Fans want Chimaev to fight Colby Covington
Chimaev fans were not easy on him as they didn’t agree with his picks for his next fights. Most fans offered #1 welterweight Colby Covington as the next opponent for the Russia-born fighter.
Colby 🔝🔝
— Pablo Ramos (@pabloramos84) May 2, 2022
Get through Colby then the big guys will give you a call
— Isac (@tomas_pinto13) May 2, 2022
Fight @ColbyCovMMA and get the win first. Colby probably wins tho
— Luke purcell (@Percyy98) May 2, 2022
Fight @ColbyCovMMA first
— Jeffrey Spooner (@JeffreySpooner4) May 2, 2022
Chaos Colby
— MMAFANTALKS 🇨🇦 (@mmafantalks) May 2, 2022
Not Colby
— Adnan Awan (@AAdefence) May 2, 2022
Go for Colby
— Haroon Mughul (@haroon_sajjad) May 2, 2022
Colby 🙌🏼
— 💀PipeWild💀 (@PipeWild666) May 2, 2022
They need to make Colby fight!!
— Shit up before I ankle pick you!!! (@jaymane1982) May 2, 2022
Colby?
— ♏️♏️🅰️𝕓𝕣𝕠 (@TylerTheApex) May 2, 2022
Also, many fans backed Usman and Adesanya to beat Chimaev in a potential matchup in the future. The Chechnya fighter barely won in a razor-close contest against Gilbert Burns. Consequently, fans picked the champs to defend their forte against ‘Borz.’
You don't need that smock pic.twitter.com/C5y0cCTaIB
— M.O (@KSA4EVER18) May 2, 2022
😆 you ready?
— Justin Chilcott (@JustinChilcott) May 2, 2022
no head movement and no leg kick defense. Easy fight for Adesanya
— JMR (@RJnx_) May 2, 2022
After your fight with burns.. brother I can't imagine what usman would do to you😀🤭😶
— Shivu_98 (@98Shivu) May 2, 2022
Unfortunately you're not ready for that man
After what we saw in the fight against burns.. you have to work a lot to beat these two— Ali 92:48🤍👑 (@_alimadrid7) May 2, 2022
Work on your head movement please brother
— YG (@YG_Breez) May 2, 2022
I like that you wanna fight anyone but Izzy and Usman would keep range and work you on the feet tko for both khamzat got no head movement
— THE REAL APE MACK (@PoppySovey) May 2, 2022
After last fight you have got to be proven.
— HJ (@Hamzah_hj) May 2, 2022
Not even gonna lie to you, they both beat you.
— Carlito Cool (@Riocasso) May 2, 2022
Happy late birthday @KChimaev, can't wait to see you smesh @USMAN84kg and @stylebender, always a good time watching you go to work.
— Stavi (@StaviKarate) May 2, 2022
Get energy to be fit for round five.
— Mahbub E Khoda (@KhodaMahbub) May 2, 2022
Khamzat u couldn’t knock the guy whom Usman Knocked with jab
— Manifesto™️ (@Broken_Native_) May 2, 2022
You not up to that fight YET
— علاء البدور (@3la2_Albdour) May 2, 2022
Even though fans are offering Chimaev looking not so good in Burns’ fight, they miss the fact that it was just the fifth bout of ‘Borz’ in the promotion. In addition, it was the first time he got hit inside the UFC Octagon.
Who should be next for Khamzat Chimaev?
There is no doubt that ‘Borz’ is a phenomenal athlete and also with his performance at UFC 273, he showed that there is no quit in him when the tables turn.

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)
Since Chimaev is listening to his coach and focusing on the welterweight division, a fight with Adesanya is not in the near future.
And in the welterweight division, the best option for ‘The Wolf’ would be a fight against Colby Covington. However, the latter is dealing with some stuff, and it appears he would need some time before turning to action.
Also, Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards are ready to throw down once again inside the Octagon sometime this year.
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via Imago
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 20: (L-R) Belal Muhammad punches Lyman Good in their welterweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on June 20, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Thus, the streaking welterweight contender Belal Muhammad appears to be the best option for Khamzat Chimaev. Even ‘Remember the Name’ Muhammad has indicated he would accept the call to fight ‘Borz.’
Also Read – Why Did Dana White Have to Convince Khamzat Chimaev to Not Retire?
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Anyhow, whatever step the rising UFC sensation takes, his massive fan base is always backing him.
What do you make fans proposing Colby Covington as Khamzat Chimaev’s next opponent?
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