“I went to my manager and I said, ‘Look, I just had a heavyweight race and I can’t make 84 kilos right now, but tell the UFC that I’m challenging him to fight at 93 kilos at UFC 283 in Rio,'” the Brazilian said. in the next edition of the MMA Hour program. “Chimaev did not want this”
“He’s a big guy, I’m a big guy, so let’s do it at light heavyweight so we don’t have to worry about the weight race. We offered him a light heavyweight fight in Rio.”
Pereira also commented on Chimaev’s statement that their fight could take place on December 10 at UFC 282 in Las Vegas.
“Everyone who watched the fight with Adesanya saw that it was a tough fight. They understand that I need to recover, so it’s impossible. He’s just saying things that aren’t possible in the first place, trying to jump on the hype train and promote himself.”
Recall that the UFC 283 tournament will be the organization’s first numbered event next year and will be held on January 21 in Rio de Janeiro.