When Alex Pereira became UFC’s Middleweight champion a whole new ballgame opened up. Pereira is an elite striker but lacks defensive wrestling and grappling – which is why a lot of the talent is clamoring to get an event against him booked.
One star eager to expose the holes in Pereira’s game is Swedish star, Khamzat Chimaev.
Chimaev went on social media armed with a claim that he’s signed a contract to face Pereira at UFC 282.
UFC 282 event will take place on December 10, 2022 at the T-Mobile Arena in Nevada, Las Vegas, United States. According to Khamzat Chimaev, the event will feature him taking on Pereira.
Chimaev claims that he is awaiting Pereira’s response. He tweeted, “@AlexPereiraUFC 10 December let’s go, I already agreed. Now it’s your turn.”
It’s hard to tell if this was an actual UFC offer of Chimaev’s attempt to insert himself in the conversation for the middleweight title.
Pereira just competed at UFC 281, and is unlikely to make a quick turn around considering he took part in a 5 round event and extensively weight cuts to make Middleweight.
Not to mention, Pereira was handed down a medical suspension after his participation in the event:
Alex Pereira: Mandatory rest for 30 days and indefinite suspension for medical.
Chimaev last competed at UFC 279 against Kevin Holland after missing the weight limit for Welterweight by whopping 8 pounds. There’s been a lot of talk about Chimaev facing either Colby Covington or Gilbert Burns next.
Be that as it may, it’s an interesting move from Chimaev to try and weasel his way into a title shot in a division he doesn’t even compete in. Story developing.
Chimaev previously mocked Pereira after he was promoted to BJJ Brown belt following the performance against Israel Adesanya during which he showcased next to no jiu jitsu.
