Khamzat Chimaev wants big fights and big money after his battle against Sean Strickland. ‘Borz’ is set to make his first UFC title defense this weekend, but doesn’t plan on continuing as a middleweight.
The champion is one of the biggest names in the business after having dominated most of his rivals. He is also undefeated in his career, and recently shared his future plans during the UFC 328 press conference.
The 32-year-old was asked if there were any other things at middleweight or if he was willing to move up after facing Strickland.
Chimaev claimed there was nothing much left for him in middleweight:
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“I don’t think so, but still Sean [Strickland] not big thing for me because the guy I beat before, all five rounds I took from that guy you know? I won all five rounds with du Plessis, and he beats him twice.”
He continued:
“If I stay there, if I beat Sean, then [Nassourdine] Imavov getting beat up Sean, so what’s the point? We just going like Russian roulette.”
While the middleweight division seems uninteresting to Chimaev, ‘Borz’ already has his next target in sight.
The champion wants to fight two-division champion Alex Pereira, and is ready to go up a couple of weight classes if that needs to happen:
“Alex Pereira, if he going to lose, he gonna come down, he is a big fight, a big name. If he not [come down a weight class], I go to heavyweight, maybe there as well.”
Pereira fights Ciryl Gane at the Freedom 250 event for the interim heavyweight title. The Brazilian is a former middleweight and light heavyweight champion, and there is quite a rivalry with Chimaev despite the weight class difference.
Chimaev also explained why he wanted to face Pereira in the same interview:
“I need big names, big money. I came here to do big things and not stay here and take the easy fights.”
Check out Khamzat Chimaev speaking about his next fight:
Khamzat Chimaev wants to fight Conor McGregor
Alex Pereira isn’t the only big name on Khamzat Chimaev’s mind. The current UFC middleweight champion is also keen on facing Conor McGregor, but in a boxing match.
McGregor is still one of the biggest names in the sport, despite not having fought since 2021. The Irishman has teased a comeback for months, and Chimaev wants Zuffa Boxing to set up a fight between them.
‘Borz’ was speaking to Kyno TV earlier in the week, and had this to say:
“Hopefully, it will be Zuffa Boxing with Conor [McGregor]. Maybe that one. We just box, 12 rounds. Maybe if Zuffa gives a chance, box with Conor, Conor wants to accept that, it would be nice.”
Chimaev also had a lot of praise for McGregor’s boxing skills:
“Conor is good boxer, one of the best boxers in the UFC. Would be nice to try, go there and fight that guy. Good money too.”
McGregor boxed the legendary Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2017 in a losing cause.
Edited by Saiyed Adeem Karim
