Israel Adesanya isn’t concerned with Khamzat Chimaev just yet, but that could change soon.

This weekend, Chimaev will take on the toughest test of his career when he faces Gilbert Burns in a featured welterweight contest at UFC 273. Chimaev could win a shot at a title, but Chimaev also has bigger goals than just winning the welterweight championship. “Borz” has made it no secret that he plans on taking the middleweight title from “zero wrestling” Adesanya one day, too, but “The Last Stylebender” isn’t getting drawn into that conversation just yet.

“I remember someone said that to me at the post-fight press conference and I was like, ‘Okay. And?'” Adesanya said on Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson. “I feel like when a dog barks at the moon, that’s normal, but when the moon barks at the dog, that’s something special.

” This guy fights at the welterweight. He’s fought at middleweight one time, and he fought a low-ranked guy. Although he can defeat some middleweights, I think he needs to show me. Show me something. He was impressive in his last fight. Although I may not be a fan of you, if you impress me with what you do I will reward you. He is a monster. But he’s a beast at 170.”

Chimaev is one of the most hyped prospects to enter the UFC in years. Currently the No. 10-ranked welterweight in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, Chimaev has fought at both middleweight and welterweight inside the UFC, and notably, has only had one significant strike landed on him in his four fights in the organization. At 27-years old and only four years into his professional MMA career, many believe Chimaev has the potential to become a multi-division champion. He must first get over Burns. Adesanya already stated that he believes this may be difficult for him. If he does though, then Chimaev might be close to getting on Adesanya’s radar.

” “Right now I’m lapping the division,” Adesanya stated. “I need some fresh blood. “I need some fresh blood. I love what he’s doing at 170 but show me something.”

For his part, Chimaev continues to court an eventual fight with Adesanya. At the UFC 273 pre-fight press conference, Chimaev once again noted his interest in the fighting Adesanya, especially if welterweight champion Kamaru Usman gets tied up with Leon Edwards. Adesanya is likely to defend his title against Jared Cannonier next, but after that, there could then be an opening for Chimaev. Adesanya warns, however that Chimaev may not be the only one to make a lot of nonsense about him and then get punished for it.

“Paulo [Costa] started talking,” Adesanya said. “‘Blah, blah, blah, he’s a shameful champion, I’m gonna kill him,’ similar to what this boy’s talking about, and I was like, ‘Bet. Watch this.’ And I showed them. I did it for them.”

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TOP STORIES

Khamzat. Khamzat Chimaev trashes Kamaru Usman, calls Colby Covington a ‘b****’: ‘I’m already the champ’.

Money. Logan Paul wants to fight Paddy Pimblett in the UFC: ‘I just think the fans would eat that s*** up’.

145. Alexander Volkanovski ranks Conor McGregor at ‘the bottom of the list’ for all-time featherweight greats.

Beef. Julianna Pena thinks Kayla Harrison played part in Amanda Nunes’ split from ATT, rips her for making career off ‘beating tomato cans’.

Fame. Rose Namajunas believes she would’ve ‘crashed a few cars’ if she’d won title as young as Jon Jones.

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VIDEO STEW

The MMA Hour.

Embedded 3.

Top finishes from UFC 273 fighters.

Cooking with Volk.

Aljo week of fights.

Chimaev fight week.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Paddy Pimblett reacts.

Almost there.

Meeting.

Takes.

Winner.

Tony Ferguson.

Paulo Costa getting real weird.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

N/A.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Thanks for reading!

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EXIT POLL

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