For the first time ever in his UFC career Khamzat Chimiev will not be an overwhelming favorite going into his next fight.
At UFC 273, Chimaev had the most difficult test of his career thus far, winning a unanimous decision over Gilbert Burns in a Fight of the Year candidate. UFC President Dana White stated that they would target Chimaev against Colby Covington as the next fight. Given the difficulties that Chimaev faced with Burns it seems that some of the oddsmakers have re-set their expectations. Internet bookmaker BetOnline set the opening lines for Chimaev against Covington at -200 with the comeback on Covington at +170, and the line has already moved substantially towards Covington, with the odds currently at -125 for Chimaev and +105 for Covington.
BetOnline has updated its odds for a possible fight between Chimaev, UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Uman. The company has had odds on the possible fight since last year, with Usman opening as a -200 favorite with Chimaev as a +170 underdog. That line has steadily dropped for Chimaev over the past few months, settling at near pick’em odds before UFC 273. Following Chimaev’s fight against Burns though, Usman is once again a clear favorite at -135 with the comeback on Chimaev at +115. If those odds hold, it would be the first time in his UFC career that Chimaev is a betting underdog.
