Khamzat Chimaev is one of the fastest rising stars in the UFC. He believes that he can easily defeat Alex Pereira, the middleweight champion.
Chimaev’s impressive career in the UFC has seen him win six straight in two weight classes, making him a formidable opponent in the Octagon.
Chimaev was on track to compete for either the welterweight or middleweight title, but his UFC 279 controversy derailed his chances of a 170lbs title shot. Dana White recently proclaimed he would be competing with the top three in the 185-pound division.
Chimaev is now more than ready to face Pereira, whom he considers an easy opponent. Although Pereira has an extensive kickboxing background, he lacks wrestling skills, which Chimaev is confident he can take advantage of. Chimaev even went as far as to predict that Pereira wouldn’t land a single punch. He told MMA Hour:
““I don’t know that’s why maybe UFC didn’t call me about that fight okay, I don’t know why didn’t call, I was ready,” he said. “I can fight in Brazil, doesn’t matter the difference plus which weight class he wants. Is most easiest fight for me in the UFC. In my career, brother. First round, first minute, easy. No punch, no nothing.”
According to Chimaev, he was offered and accepted bouts against Whittaker, Covington and Pereira. He accepted all three but none of them ever acme to fruition.
He’s currently in talks for a Paulo Costa clash in Abu Dhabi. Costa just agreed on the terms of his new UFC deal, and has the option of facing Strickland in May or Chimaev in October.
Pereira previously said he asked his manager to propose a 205-pound bout against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 283 in January but Chimaev allegedly didn’t want it. It’s unclear what the hold up was.