Khamzat Chimaev is ready to get back in the octagon.
Options are waiting for one of the most prominent MMA stars at present. Since the disastrous shakeup caused by his drastic UFC 279 weight miss in September, Chimaev has been questioned regarding his next fight coming at either welterweight or middleweight. “Borz” has established himself as a force at 170 pounds and is currently ranked as the No. 3-ranked contender in the promotion’s official rankings. He has now lost seven-and-a half pounds. His ability to maintain the recommended weight is in doubt until he achieves it.
That leaves the 185-pound middleweight as an easy solution. Chimaev has fought north of welterweight on numerous occasions in his 12-fight career. The only problem at this juncture is that his demands have reached a ceiling thanks to his top-contender status. Recently documenting a trip to Dubai on his YouTube channel, Chimaev and his coach Andreas Michael discussed the hopes going forward.
” They want to know. When is ‘Wolf’ coming?” Chimaev said. They want to find out. Andreas Michael, what do you think about training camp in Dubai?”
” We’re having an excellent camp here, and we’re going to do it again. Michael jokingly said, “We’re going to move to heavyweight.” “Middleweight [is where I really want to see him next]. I would like the belt. That would be great. It’s an incredible fight [with Alex Pereira]. We can fight at [welterweight] no problem. This is not a problem. It’s just good preparation and good warning for if we’re gonna go drop down in weight then we need time and it’s done. Not this five weeks or four weeks preparation thing because it’s not doable in that time.”
Chimaev used social media to announce his interest in the fight after Brazil’s Pereira won the title of middleweight against Israel Adesanya. Pereira was on Chimaev’s radar despite his win over Sean Strickland last July.
Unfortunately for the dominant 28-year-old wrestler, Chimaev presumably needs to get at least one top victory over a ranked middleweight while Pereira and Adesanya likely rematch in the meantime. Should Chimaev officially return to 185 pounds, he and his team are fully confident there shouldn’t be any weight issues.
“Right now he’s like [196 pounds]. He can make weight like tomorrow. [Middleweight], It’s not a problem. Even if everyone thinks that he’s [300 pounds now],” Michael laughed.
TOP STORIES
Awards. MMA Fighting’s 2022 Fighter of the Year: Alex Pereira
Ready. Khamzat Chimaev growing frustrated with lack of opponents: ‘Nobody wants to fight … f*** these boys’
Critique. Anthony Smith blasts MMA judging: ‘We need people that know what the f*** they’re looking at’
Compassion. Stephen Thompson: ‘Smart call’ for Kevin Holland’s corner to throw in the towel at UFC Orlando
Motivation. Santiago Ponzinibbio shares what his coaches told him to motivate himself for the third round over Alex Morono
Matchmaking. Drew Dober is happy to face Jalin Turner.
Trouble. Jeff Molina placed on suspension by Nevada Athletic Commission
VIDEO STEW
UFC KOs of 2022.
Free fight.
Chael breaks down the RIZIN 40 main card.
Cooking With Volk
Khamzat vlog.
CKB with the fans.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Classics.
BJ Penn in this UFC classic!
[ B2YB @BattleMotors | #HitsLikeATruck #BattleTough #EVTRUCK ] pic.twitter.com/iZ94jyQD9h
— UFC (@ufc) December 26, 2022
Opportunity.
Iron sharpens iron @MishMontague
[ #PFLonFuboTV | Women’s Featherweights | Fri, Feb 3rd | 9pm ET] pic.twitter.com/SQIgT28nDu
— PFL (@PFLMMA) December 26, 2022
Opportunity of a lifetime
Senna Van De Veerdonk plans to take full advantage of it as she steps into the SmartCage
[ #PFLonFuboTV | Women’s Featherweights | Fri, Feb 3rd | 9pm ET] pic.twitter.com/bwB9h46adi
— PFL (@PFLMMA) December 26, 2022
It just won’t end.
Bigfoot Silva fighting Haim Gozali at a BRAVE event in Israel on March 9 pic.twitter.com/A8T0SijF5Y
— Chris Presnell (@mmaecosystem) December 26, 2022
No bias detected.
@HenryCejudo https://t.co/bKoveR1WxC
— Eric Albarracin (@CPTdasAmericas) December 26, 2022
Justin McCully!
I remember getting this pic from a friend and having a good laugh with Stephan about it later. We didn’t work together long, but there was never a dull moment. RIP American Psycho pic.twitter.com/OAcKUoDtJ2
— Rich Chou (@rich_chou) December 26, 2022
Seriously.
Where did the year go
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) December 26, 2022
Learn.
Soo Chul Kim is ready.
Redemption year.
It’s Redemption Year for Magnum!
@MMAWeili has put up amazing performances this year to reclaim strawweight supremacy!
Watch her best fights this 2022 on @UFCFightPass pic.twitter.com/NSw6NS9Iqz
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) December 27, 2022
Tracy opens up.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Namiko “Hime” Kawabata (4-1) vs. Machi Fukuda (1-0); DEEP JEWELS 40, Feb. 18
Hikaru Aono (8-6) vs. Kate “Lotus” Oyama (3-4); DEEP JEWELS 40, Feb. 18
Sean Brady (15-1) vs. Michel Pereira (28-11, 2 NC); UFC San Antonio, March 25
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’m fine with Chimaev continuing in either division, but the time is totally now to pull the trigger on Robert Whittaker vs. Chimaev.
I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. Now we’re onto New Year’s weekend and RIZIN 40 fight week. Thank you for reading.
POLL POSITION
Last Week’s Results:
Friday: 61% of 506 total voters answered “No” when asked, “Is Alexander Volkanovski’s only hope to prevent the takedown against Islam Makhachev?” Volkanovski challenges Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title in UFC 284’s main event on Feb. 11.
Thursday: 85% of 570 total voters answered “Yes” when asked, “Does Ben Askren have a point about Jiri Prochazka being able to sue USADA?” Prochazka has been by far the most-tested UFC fighter in 2022.
Wednesday: 41% of 703 total votes answered “Beneil Dariush” when asked, “Who is Islam Makhachev’s toughest challenge out of the official UFC lightweight top 15?”
Tuesday: 40% of 725 total votes answered “Equally as difficult” when asked, “Who is a worse matchup between Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejuo for Sean O’Malley?”
Monday: 67% of 497 total votes answered “Jared Cannonier” when asked, “Who should have won UFC Vegas 66’s main event?” Cannonier defeated Strickland via a split decision.
Today’s exit poll :
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Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/12/27/23527106/morning-report-khazmat-chimaevs-coach-wants-return-at-middleweight-amazing-fight-alex-pereira?rand=96749
