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Tag: Khamzat Chimaev

  • Sean Strickland’s Coach Names The Type Of Fighter Who Can Be Khamzat Chimaev’s ‘Kryptonite’

    Sean Strickland’s Coach Names The Type Of Fighter Who Can Be Khamzat Chimaev’s ‘Kryptonite’

    Sean Strickland’s coach, Eric Nicksick, recently shared his insights on a tactical approach that could be key to conquering Khamzat Chimaev in a fight.

    Chimaev is poised to make his highly anticipated return in a five-round middleweight showdown against Robert Whittaker, serving as the co-main event of UFC 308, scheduled for October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

    Initially, both fighters were slated to headline UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia on June 22. However, just weeks before the showdown, “Borz” was forced to withdraw due to an undisclosed illness. In a last-minute effort to save the main event, Ikram Aliskerov stepped up on short notice. Whittaker made quick work of Aliskerov, delivering a knockout victory in under two minutes.

    The undefeated Chechen has earned a formidable reputation for his relentless and dominating fighting style. However, in the past two years, Chimaev’s momentum has been hampered by various setbacks, with illness being the primary factor behind his reduced activity.

    Chimaev made his long-awaited return to the Octagon after a 13-month hiatus, squaring off against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 last October. He dominated the first round with a strong start, but the fight quickly became intense as Usman staged a spirited comeback, turning the next two rounds into a fiercely competitive contest. Despite the back-and-forth battle, Chimaev ultimately secured a majority decision victory.

    Nicksick believes that if “The Reaper” can weather Chimaev’s explosive onslaught in the first two rounds, he’ll present the toughest challenge “Borz” has ever encountered in the Octagon…

    Nicksick Suggests Chimaev Might Falter If Pushed To ‘Deep Waters’ in Later Rounds

    During a recent interview with Red Corner MMA, Nicksick provided his analysis of the showdown between Whittaker and Chimaev. The respected MMA coach heaped praise on Whittaker, hailing him as one of the all-time greats in the middleweight division, and voiced his confidence that the former champion has the potential to deliver the toughest test Chimaev has ever faced in his career.

    “I mean, it’s a great fight. You know, I think Rob has been somewhat overlooked in his last few fights, especially with the way he got beat by Dricus [Du Plessis],” Nicksick said. “Then he comes back the way he has. Robert Whittaker, I think, would have been a champion for a long time if it hadn’t been for Israel Adesanya. It’s like there’s always someone’s Kryptonite that comes into play… This is the matchup we need to see from both fighters to see how good Khamzat actually is. Would you be surprised if Khamzat blew through Robert Whittaker? No, you wouldn’t. Would you be surprised if Whittaker blew through Khamzat? No, you wouldn’t. So this is just one of those fights where you really want to see how good Khamzat truly is.”

    Nicksick further noted that Chimaev has yet to face the rigorous test of a five-round bout. He highlighted that “Borz” struggled to maintain his intense pressure in previous fights against Usman and Gilbert Burns, suggesting that his cardio issues could be detrimental in a prolonged contest.

    “I think the pace; I think somebody that can drag it into deep waters that we saw with Usman, that we saw in a three-rounder with Gilbert Burns, right? In a five-rounder, it’s always going to be the question mark because of Khamzat’s style of always trying to finish fights and get guys out of there right away. Can that be his Kryptonite? Is a guy who’s durable, who can last, get through rounds one and two, and then where does Khamzat fare in the deeper rounds? That is the question mark. We haven’t seen the unknown—that’s all we’re asking, and how well he does in these situations.”

  • Arman Tsarukyan On Coaching Reality Show Opposite Khamzat Chimaev: ‘I Want To Beat Him…’

    Arman Tsarukyan On Coaching Reality Show Opposite Khamzat Chimaev: ‘I Want To Beat Him…’

    Despite solidifying himself as the number one contender in the lightweight division with his latest win, Arman Tsarukyan has got some time on his hands.

    The 27-year old stated that he was offered the lightweight title shot against Islam Makhachev on the same night that he defeated Charles Oliveira at UFC 300.

    He turned that opportunity down due to wanting more time to prepare and with Dustin Poirier stepping into his place at UFC 302, more time is certainly what he’s ended up with.

    Makhachev was previously gearing up for a return to Abu Dhabi in October but a recently announced hand injury means that his huge rematch with Tsarukyan will be pushed back once again.

    Instead, the next in line for a shot at the 155-pound title is keeping himself busy by coaching a similar series to The Ultimate Fighter, alongside another big name on the UFC roster.

    Arman Tsarukyan Describes What It’s Like To Coach Against Khamzat Chimaev On Russian Reality TV Series

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOpnuyF3ILM

    It was announced several months ago that Tsarukyan was set to feature on a reality TV series where both he and Khamzat Chimaev will coach competing teams.

    Hype Reality 3 sees them go up against one another and as you can always expect when you have world class athletes involved, things are getting competitive as Tsarukyan detailed in a recent interview with Submission Radio.

    “It’s good and I want to beat him, he wants to beat me so I train my fighters very well to win [against] his fighters.”

    He went on to say that whilst both men are doing what they can to ensure the best results for their teams, tensions haven’t boiled over like they have done in previous seasons of The Ultimate Fighter.

    “No, we have good relationship with Khamzat and that’s why we just like a sport you know. Who is going to win, nothing else, no drama.”

    Read also: Umar Nurmagomedov Touts Bellator Champion As Islam Makhachev’s UFC Lightweight Successor

  • Whittaker Reveals He Insisted On Chimaev Rebooking: ‘I Love Disrupting Their Plans’

    Whittaker Reveals He Insisted On Chimaev Rebooking: ‘I Love Disrupting Their Plans’

    Robert Whittaker recently revealed that the push to reschedule his previously canceled bout against Khamzat Chimaev for UFC 308 was entirely his initiative.

    Both fighters were initially set to headline UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia on June 22. However, just weeks before the contest, “Borz” withdrew due to an unspecified illness. In a bid to salvage the main event, Ikram Aliskerov stepped in on short notice. Unfortunately for Aliskerov, his night was cut short as Whittaker dispatched him with a knockout in under two minutes.

    Now, the UFC has rebooked Whittaker and Chimaev for a five-round middleweight bout as the co-main event of UFC 308, set to take place on October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

    “The Reaper” asserts that it was his idea to challenge Chimaev once again, driven by a desire to test his skills against the formidable opponent…

    Whittaker Believes Victory Over Chimaev Could Secure Title Shot

    During a recent appearance on the MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker discussed his rationale for rescheduling his fight against Chimaev. The former UFC middleweight champion expressed that he couldn’t pass up the chance to fight on enemy turf and prove his mettle.

    “Unfortunately, the business isn’t completely run on merit, and a lot of it is, but there are a lot of times and moments when it just is not,” Whittaker said. “Chimaev is a hard fight; he’s obviously a big draw, especially over there in Abu Dhabi… I think the UFC, story-wise, wants to see Chimaev get a shot at the champion or whatever. They want to see Chimaev at the top of the ladder; they want to see him in that picture. But I love disrupting their plans; I love derailing their stories, and that’s why I took the fight.

    You know, I asked for the fight straight after my last fight. I saw there was an Abu Dhabi card in October, the timeline fits perfectly, and I was like, I’ll fight Chimaev again. Let’s do it again, just make sure he turns up.”

    “The Reaper” further emphasized that he knows Chimaev is a tough opponent, but believes that defeating him would pave the way for a title shot.

    “I look forward to hard fights, and I know that if I beat Chimaev, there is nothing in my way to getting my belt back. Chimaev, as dangerous as he is, I don’t go into these fights thinking about what I have to lose. Much like how I took the fight with Ikram, I don’t look at the fights and think, ‘Oh man, it’s too big of a risk.’ Every fight’s a risk, you know, and I only go into fights because I have the confidence I’m going to beat and smash whoever is in front of me, and that doesn’t change with Chimaev.”

    “Borz” has been out of action since his majority decision victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 last October. During that bout, he suffered a torn ligament in his hand, which was followed by a severe infection that spread across his upper body, forcing him to take an extended break from active competition.

    Meanwhile, Whittaker is gearing up for his third Octagon appearance of 2024. Earlier this year, he secured a decisive victory over Paulo Costa at UFC 298 in February and followed it up with a win against Aliskerov.

  • Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev Rescheduled For UFC 308 Co-Main Event In Abu Dhabi

    Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev Rescheduled For UFC 308 Co-Main Event In Abu Dhabi

    Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (26-7) and the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev (13-0) will attempt to share the Octagon at the second time of trying at UFC 308 this year in Abu Dhabi.

    The pair were previously lined up to headline the promotion’s debut event in Saudi Arabia this past June. On short notice, however, Chimaev withdrew from the Kingdom Arena-held card after suffering from an illness.

    In his place stepped in Ikram Aliskerov, who was emphatically knocked out in the first round by “The Reaper.” While some suggested the Australian could be in line for another shot at regaining the belt next, he’ll have to keep his focus on “Borz” first.

    Their rearranged middleweight matchup was announced by UFC CEO Dana White in a video on social media. It will be a five-round co-main event, with a featherweight title fight between champ Ilia Topuria and BMF titleholder Max Holloway headlining.

    With White’s recent announcement, the current fights expected to take place at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on October 26 are as follows:

    • Ilia Topuria (C) vs. Max Holloway (featherweight championship main event)
    • Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev (middleweight co-main event)
    • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakić (light heavyweight)
    • Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige (featherweight)
    • Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov (heavyweight)
    • Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Nursulton Ruziboev (welterweight)
    • Marcos Rogério de Lima vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu (heavyweight)

  • Teammate & Friend Gives Update On Khamzat Chimaev’s Future Plans, Says He Is Training With ‘Boxing National Team’ For Comeback

    The last few years have been anything but plain sailing for Khamzat Chimaev in the UFC.

    Issues with fighting in the United States have made it harder for the UFC to book him fights but the much bigger problem has been his own health.

    “Borz” has been kept relatively inactive for a long time largely due to his current condition which seems to have significantly impacted his progress in MMA.

    All of this could have been put behind him in June when he was set to return against former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.

    A win over a top contender in Whittaker in Saudi Arabia will have finally put Chimaev back on track and where he should be – but this wasn’t to be as he was forced to withdraw from the fight a week out due to illness.

    With the hopes of returning later this year at what will likely be UFC 307, there is still hope that he can return to form inside the Octagon.

    Guram Kutateladze Says Khamzat Chimaev Is Back Training With October Return In Mind

    Georgian lightweight contender Guram Kutateladze is a close friend and training partner of Chimaev’s at Allstars Training Center in Sweden.

    During a recent interview with James Lynch for Sportskeeda MMA, he spoke about how Chimaev is progressing after overcoming the illness which led to Ikram Aliskerov taking his place last month.

    Kutateladze had some promising and hopeful things to say about the middleweight contender’s current situation.

    He believes that we will see him in Abu Dhabi in Octoberm which will be roughly one year on from his last appearance where he defeated Kamaru Usman via majority decision at UFC 294.

    “It was unfortunate but again, we have to keep positive thoughts, positive mentality. He’s feeling better now. He’s been for a few weeks in Caucasian Mountains, breathing fresh air, mountain air and training there with his team. With his brothers and team and I think boxing national team too so hopefully, as he said himself, we gonna see him in Abu Dhabi in October and I’m sure 100% that he will be ready and as always, energized.”

    Read also: Daniel Cormier Questions Why People ‘Discredit’ Sean Strickland As Number One Contender: ‘He Beat Costa Better Than Whittaker Did!’ 

  • Former UFC Champ Lays Down How Khamzat Chimaev Can Fight The Winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya Over Sean Strickland

    Former UFC Champ Lays Down How Khamzat Chimaev Can Fight The Winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya Over Sean Strickland

    Khamzat Chimaev burst onto the scene by winning two UFC fights in different weight divisions within 10 days. However, the hype train that began in 2020 has derailed a bit due to his inconsistency.

    Despite defeating credible opponents like Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns, “Borz” has yet to fight for the title at welterweight or middleweight. He was scheduled to take on Robert Whittaker at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia last month, and winning the bout would have most likely solidified his first title shot.

    Unfortunately, illness once again struck the Chechen star, forcing him to withdraw on late notice. Despite that, though, Chimaev still recently called for a title shot upon his return.

    Michael Bisping recently reviewed Chimaev’s career and dismissed any chances of a championship fight next. However, the former UFC champ did reveal the one way through which the prospect can fight the winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya.

    Bisping Explains How Chimaev Can Pass Strickland, Whittaker For UFC Middleweight Title Shot

    Bisping discussed Chimaev’s demands for a title shot upon his return on his official YouTube channel. Although “The Count” praised the Russian fighter for dominating Usman and being explosive in the Octagon, he highlighted that it isn’t enough for him to pass Whittaker and ex-middleweight king Sean Strickland in the title race.

    Bisping also pointed out Chimaev’s inconsistency and how the UFC hasn’t been in proper touch with him. He fought four times in 2020 to gain a ton of hype in MMA circles but has only fought thrice since then. “Borz” has pulled out of bouts several times due to illness or other reasons, which has naturally hurt his brand.

    “So, there’s no judgment against him for that, but the reality is for Khamzat Chimaev, the man doesn’t fight too frequently. Had one fight in 2023, two in 2022, and one in 2021. So, that’s an issue for the UFC and, certainly lately, he’s kind of been, I don’t want to say unreliable, but he’s pulled out a couple of times, okay?”

    Having said that, the former UFC middleweight champ is certain that Chimaev is still one fight away from getting a chance at gold. At the numbered event in Abu Dhabi this October, Bisping believes he should aim to secure a rescheduled clash with the #3-ranked Whittaker.

    Chimaev’s high-pace style slowed him down in the later rounds against Burns and Usman. For Bisping, a three-round battle with “Bobby Knuckles” at UFC 308 would be favorable because the Australian might have the edge in a five-round battle, as they were set for in Riyadh.

    “The man is something special. Of course, the cardio issues as the fights get longer. That is the big question, can he do that over five rounds? But Robert Whittaker, if he fought in Abu Dhabi, that would only be three rounds. And that would actually help Khamzat Chimaev.”

    “The Count” believes that a win over Whittaker would also allow Chimaev to pass Strickland for a title opportunity due to recency.

    “Rebooking Robert ‘The Reaper’ Whittaker. The fight we all wanted to see, the fight that made sense, and the fight that would, I’ll be honest, set up the next number one contender. And that’s a shame for Sean Strickland.”

  • ‘1 Canceled Fight & 1 Crypto Scam In 2024’ – Khamzat Chimaev Comes Under Fire From Fans After Calling For UFC Title Shot In Return Fight

    Undefeated UFC star Khamzat Chimaev’s recent call for a championship opportunity didn’t go down well with many corners of the fanbase…

    It looks like a year will pass by between appearances inside the Octagon for Chimaev, whose plans for a quick rise toward UFC gold and title glory across multiple weight classes have taken hit after hit ever since his debut year.

    “Borz” announced his arrival as one of the most highly touted prospects in recent memory when he reeled off three wins in three months back in 2020. He’s since competed four times in almost four years, with health issues and reported visa trouble making fights few and far between.

    The Chechen athlete most recently got the better of former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in a short-notice middleweight scrap at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi last October. But his hopes for a possible shot at the belt were dashed when he required hand surgery and subsequently fell ill.

    And when he was set to return in a high-profile contest opposite Robert Whittaker in last month’s Saudi Arabia main event, illness once again struck, forcing a late withdrawal.

    Despite that, Chimaev seemingly doesn’t think his stock has taken much of a hit in the eyes of the brass, even going as far as to call for a title shot at this October’s Abu Dhabi-held UFC 308 pay-per-view.

    MMA Fans React To Chimaev Staking Claim To UFC Title Shot: ‘If He Becomes Champ…Get That Interim Ready’

    Having not competed in 2024 thus far and beaten none of the names currently inside the middleweight top 10, Chimaev unsurprisingly came under fire from plenty of fans for his championship demand.

    Some made light of the recent crypto coin controversy involving the 13-0 fighter, while others highlighted his history of withdrawals and weight misses when placed in main event positions to suggest he can’t be trusted in a title matchup yet.

    https://twitter.com/MaskedFanatic/status/1813459276956070001

  • Darren Till Details Prank Khamzat Chimaev Pulled At The UFC PI

    While we would expect Darren Till and Khamzat Chimaev to be up to no good in the gym, it turns out the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas isn’t safe, either.

    While their interactions on social media and hilarious Instagram Live session had teased a budding ‘bromance’ between the two UFC stars, not many would have been expecting the pair’s link up to have gone as well as it has.

    What started as an offer from Chimaev to help train Till following the Englishman’s devastating loss to Derek Brunson last September has blossomed into an unlikely friendship.

    It has since seen the pair spend weeks together at Stockholm’s Allstar Training Center, travel to the US, and even go to dinner as a fearsome threesome with UFC President Dana White.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbWuMfNO6ky/

    Having spent so much time in each other’s company, it’s unsurprising there are some hilarious tales to be told. One of those was revealed last week, and it perhaps won’t please UFC staff…

    Till Snitches On Chimaev’s PI Prank

    Having traveled to London to support teammate Tom Aspinall’s main event clash with Alexander Volkov this past weekend, Till completed a Q&A session with his home fans during fight week.

    When asked to disclose the craziest thing he’s done alongside “Borz,” the Liverpudlian suggested that would have to stay behind closed doors.

    “I can not say on the mic [LAUGHS]. I’ll be surprised if we make it through this year though,” joked Till. “He told me he wants to come back to Liverpool and train and live.”

    However, there was one moment Till was willing to narrate, and it perhaps demonstrates the kind of shenanigans most would expect from the pair’s ventures.

    “I’ve got a brilliant story that I think is funny. So, we’re training at the UFC PI in Vegas, and obviously, all fighters eat free and stuff like that, but they have a fridge full of like, protein drinks and monsters and like, these nice milk drinks they do,” recalled Till. “So me and Khamzat were getting our food the other day and he looks at me, and he’s got like, his big UFC bag, and he goes—starts just ruffling everything into his UFC bag.

    UFC 267: Khamzat Chimaev has championship talent, says Dana White
    Khamzat Chimaev

    “So the next day, I was coming out to the changing rooms and I heard one fighter say to his friend, ‘F*cking hell, I’ve been coming here everyday for the past week and there’s no drinks [LAUGHS]. So yeah, there’s a good story. He’s probably messaging me right now.”

    I think we can expect the UFC to add some additional cameras around the drinks fridge moving forward…

    Are Darren Till and Khamzat Chimaev the best duo in MMA right now?

  • Vicente Luque Reveals He Was Offered London Fight Against Chimaev

    UFC welterweight Vicente Luque has revealed he accepted a matchup with rising star Khamzat Chimaev for UFC London.

    Since arriving in the UFC, Chimaev has quickly grown from prospect to a contender and future champion in the eyes of many pundits and fans. In his four victories in the Octagon to date, “Borz” has knocked out Gerald Meerschaert and choked ranked 170lber Li Jingliang unconscious.

    With his 10-0 record and fast ascension up the UFC ladder, the anticipation for Chimaev’s fifth walk to the Octagon is high. And while fans are now looking forward to that appearance next month, it turns out if alternate plans had come to fruition, we’d be discussing another concluded Chimaev fight this week.

    This past weekend, MMA’s premier promotion returned to the UK for the first time since 2019. Thanks to memorable victories for Tom Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett, Molly McCann, Ilia Topuria, and Paul Craig, the event will undoubtedly go down as one of the best of 2022.

    But according to the #4-ranked Vicente Luque, fans could have seen a crucial welterweight bout go down towards the top of the card.

    During a recent interview with The AllStar, the Brazilian claimed to have accepted an offer from the UFC to share the Octagon with Chimaev in London. While he’s unsure the reasoning for the matchup ultimately not coming together, Luque assured that he was more than willing to scrap with the Chechen-born Swede inside the O2.

    “I did get offered to fight Chimaev in London,” Luque revealed. “And I told the UFC that I was ready for that. I think Belal (Muhammad) was also offered that fight as well. But it didn’t work out… I don’t really know why it didn’t. They offered me the fight and I said I would take it. I don’t know if there was some sort of issue with Chimaev or if they wanted to wait and make the fight at another moment.”

    While White believes a title clash between English contender Leon Edwards and reigning welterweight king Kamaru Usman is the only thing that could have made UFC London any better, it’s hard to deny that a Luque vs. Chimaev fight would have also added something to the memorable event.

    Crucial April Outings On The Horizon For Vicente Luque & Khamzat Chimaev

    With a collision in England’s capital this month not happening for either man, Luque and Muhammad will come together for the second time in a five-round headliner on April 17.

    With both sitting inside the welterweight top five and riding impressive win streaks, their UFC Fight Night main event will be crucial in determining a future challenger for the champion.

    Meanwhile, after missing out on the chance to fight in his home continent for whatever reason, Chimaev’s attention will now solely be on the toughest test of his career to date.

    A week prior to Luque vs. Muhammad, “Borz” will look to join them at the top of the division when he faces former title challenger and #2-ranked contender Gilbert Burns. The pair will meet on a stacked UFC 273 pay-per-view card set for Jacksonville, Florida on April 9.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Cav4XoOszBO/

    With Edwards likely next in line for a championship opportunity, it stands to reason we’ll have a much clearer look at the queue for a shot behind “Rocky” at the conclusion of next month’s key welterweight fights.

    How do you think a fight between Vicente Luque and Khamzat Chimaev would have played out?

  • Gilbert Burns: Covington Needs To Fight A Real Contender Next

    Gilbert Burns believes Colby Covington should go after a “real” contender for his next opponent.

    Covington remains the #1 ranked contender for the welterweight title after defeating Masvidal in their grudge match. But since he has twice failed to dethrone the UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman, it leaves many wondering who will be in his next matchup.

    Masvidal Covington UFC 272
    Masvidal Covington UFC 272

    Colby Covington has continued to call out Dustin Poirier. However, Poirier is likely to fight Nate Diaz next, so there is much uncertainty surrounding that noise.

    Many of the ranked fighters of the welterweight division present strong challenges for Covington. For instance, the #2 ranked Gilbert Burns, who along with Kamaru Usman, has been devastating his welterweight competition.

    Potential Opponents For Covington

    Outside of a trilogy with Usman, Covington has called out Poirier, Nate Diaz, and even Israel Adesanya—no one within the top 5 of his division.

    Gilbert Burns, who is right under Colby in the rankings, had this to say in an interview with Helen Yee Sports:

    “I think he should fight a real contender, 170. Very hard to call up Dustin Poirier. Dustin Poirier, he’s doing a good job at lightweight, but he’s in lightweight. I don’t think he’s going to move to 170, for sure, he’s open to fight Nate Diaz or do a couple fights, but I don’t think that’s he’s gonna change up.

    “And then, I think Colby should fight a real contender. Long time ago, he don’t fight real contenders on 170. I think he should face maybe the winner of me and Khamzat or maybe the winner of Luque and Belal or maybe a real contender like Sean Brady, I don’t know, one of these guys. You gotta face a real contender.”

    Belal Muhammad, Vincente Luque, Khamzat Chimaev, Sean Brady
    Belal Muhammad, Vincente Luque, Khamzat Chimaev, Sean Brady, Photo Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports / Jeff Bottari/Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC, Thomas Lakes, MMA Fighting

    A fight with Covington could potentially put Burns next in line for a title shot if a victory over Chimaev at UFC 273 isn’t enough to earn him that spot. And it will be a phenomenal year for Khamzat Chimaev if he remains undefeated after facing Burns and then gets a fight with the #1-ranked Covington.

    Vincente Luque faces Belal Muhammad next month. Both fighters have proven their tremendous power and head into their match with impressive win streaks.

    The undefeated Sean Brady is steadily approaching the top 5. Could Colby put an end to Brady’s unstoppable win streak?

    Covington has yet to call out anyone currently in the top 5 of the welterweight division. Now that he got Masvidal out of the way, a win against another top-ranked fighter could grant him his third title shot.

    Who do you think Colby Covington should fight next?

  • Khamzat Chimaev Volunteers To Be Logan Paul’s First UFC Opponent

    UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev is willing to welcome Logan Paul to the Octagon if he were to ever sign with the top MMA promotion.

    Chimaev is set to face Gilbert Burns in a potential No. 1 contender clash at UFC 273. He’s undefeated in his MMA career and is coming off of a first-round submission of Li Jingliang at UFC 267.

    Paul is a YouTuber turned boxer who competed in high school wrestling in Ohio. He’s flirted with the idea of potentially moving to MMA down the line, along with his brother Jake.

    Eyebrows were raised when UFC President Dana White didn’t rule out Paul fighting for him in the future. After asking about his past grappling experience, White didn’t shut down the idea of Paul competing in the Octagon at some point.

    “I’m not saying no,” White said.

    After getting word of Paul’s UFC interest, Chimaev reached out to Paul on Twitter and proposed a potential matchup.

    “I’m waiting for you in UFC [Logan Paul],” Chimaev tweeted.

    Paul has recently confirmed that he’s received MMA offers in recent months and expects to enter the cage at some point. He also remains focused on his boxing career and a potential matchup with fellow YouTube sensation Whindersson Nunes.

    While White seems to have a cordial relationship with Logan, it’s been the complete opposite with Jake. He and Jake have gone back-and-forth on social media for months and have accused one another of using drugs.

    Chimaev has proven to not be one to turn down a fight in the Octagon, and he could be a willing opponent for Paul if the UFC signs him. For now, Chimaev remains focused on a shot at welterweight gold and a potential showdown with Kamaru Usman in 2022.

    Do you think Logan Paul will eventually fight in the UFC?

  • Gilbert Burns Unconvinced That Chimaev Fight Is A #1 Contender Bout

    UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns isn’t sure whether or not to 100% trust that a win over Khamzat Chimaev will earn him a title shot.

    Burns will square off with the rising star Chimaev at UFC 273. He is coming off of an impressive win over Stephen Thompson at UFC 264 and is looking to get back into the welterweight title chase.

    During a recent interview with MMA journalist Helen Yee, Burns explained why he doesn’t fully trust White’s recent comments about his Chimaev fight being for a No. 1 contender spot.

    “Yeah, but Dana also said that women (are) never gonna fight MMA,” Burns said. “He said a lot of things that I respect that when you have one opinion, but later on, you change it. And it can change. We will see. I think everything is about performance. I gotta go there and get a finish, and then I can have a title shot. But it’s all about performance. If the fight (ends) up being boring or being not what people expect, for sure we gotta do one more fight.”

    Khamzat Chimaev on Twitter: "Who is next @danawhite ? ????? ????? https://t.co/6J67AWh2Sq" / Twitter

    Burns’ thoughts on White aren’t exactly far-fetched. White has repeatedly pivoted on various UFC-related issues, including his once unmistakable enthusiasm about getting into boxing.

    White also hinted at “very good” chances that Nate Diaz will get a new UFC contract but was later contradicted by Diaz on social media. He has also switched stances repeatedly on a potential super-fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Henry Cejudo.

    Burns is looking to earn another shot at the welterweight title after losing to Kamaru Usman at UFC 258. Before that, he earned dominant wins over the likes of Tyron Woodley and Demian Maia.

    Chimaev has surged into the welterweight title picture following an undefeated run in the UFC. He most recently defeated Li Jingliang at UFC 267.

    Burns will look to force White and the UFC’s hand with an impressive win and potentially another welterweight title shot next.

    What is your prediction for Gilbert Burns vs. Khamzat Chimaev?

  • Khamzat Chimaev Mocks Usman’s Boxing Skills Amid Canelo Fight Talks

    Rising UFC welterweight star Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t think Kamaru Usman would fare well in a fight with boxing champion Canelo Álvarez.

    Chimaev is set to face Gilbert Burns at UFC 273, in arguably the toughest test of his UFC tenure. He has won 10 straight to begin his MMA career, including most recently in a smothering of Li Jingliang at UFC 267.

    Usman is the UFC’s best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and is coming off an electric 2021. In the leadup to his last fight at UFC 268, he hinted at a potential crossover against Alvarez soon.

    Usman’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, recently said that Usman can knock out Alvarez inside three rounds of boxing. This prompted a variety of reactions around combat sports, including from Chimaev.

    In a recent tweet, Chimaev mocked the UFC welterweight champion along with a retweeted video of Usman whiffing punches.

    “[He is] good boxer,” Chimaev said sarcastically.

    Usman’s striking has arguably improved drastically over his past few fights, particularly showcased in knockouts of Burns and Jorge Masvidal. Yet, it seems Chimaev is not impressed to the point that he thinks Usman would stand a chance against Alvarez.

    UFC President Dana White has recently teased that Chimaev vs. Burns “makes sense” as a No. 1 contender fight. If that’s the case and Chimaev can defeat Burns, he could secure a matchup with Usman sooner rather than later.

    As for Usman/Alvarez, White has made it clear that he is not interested in helping put that superfight together.

    How do you think a Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru Usman fight would play out?

  • Sonnen Is Drunk On Chimaev Excitement After Watching Him Train

    Chael Sonnen liked what he saw from rising UFC star Khamzat Chimaev when he got a chance to watch him train in Las Vegas.

    Chimaev and middleweight Darren Till have moved their training to Las Vegas ahead of their Octagon returns. Chimaev has been spotted training at the UFC Performance Institute and was also in attendance cageside at UFC 272.

    Chimaev will face what is being considered the toughest test of his young UFC career against former title challenger Gilbert Burns at UFC 273. The two welterweights have gone back and forth on social media regarding a potential fight for months.

    During a recent appearance on The Fight with Teddy Atlas podcast, Sonnen previewed Chimaev vs. Burns and gave a glowing review on Chimaev’s training regimen.

    “Okay, so that’s gonna be the ninth of April, pay-per-view,” Sonnen said of Chimaev vs. Burns. “I love that match. Right now, I am leaning towards Chimaev. But I’m drunk on the excitement of Chimaev. No fighter’s got the wind on his back quite like Chimaev. There’s just something to be said for momentum. I got to watch him work out for the first time last week. All the rumors are true.” (h/t SportsKeeda)

    Sonnen isn’t the only notable former or current UFC fighter to praise Chimaev up close. Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson recently stated that his Allstars Training Center teammate may eventually enter the GOAT conversation.

    A win over a former title challenger like Burns could earn Chimaev a title shot against welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. If Usman can get past Leon Edwards later this year in their planned matchup, Chimaev could get an opportunity to claim the welterweight throne.

    What is your prediction for Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns?

  • Usman Scoffs At Chimaev Receiving Title Shot With Win Over Burns

    UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman has pumped the brakes on the idea Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns will be fighting for #1 contender status at UFC 273 next month.

    Having rag-dolled John Phillips, Rhys McKee, and Li Jingliang, and brutally knocked out Gerald Meerschaert, Chimaev is set for his stiffest test to date at the April 9 pay-per-view.

    The undefeated Chechen-born Swede has gained significant hype in just four appearances in the Octagon and has been touted by many as a future champion. If he’s to move one step closer to bringing that prediction to fruition, “Borz” will have to get through one of the division’s top contenders next.

    On the UFC 273 main card, the #11-ranked 170lber will share the cage with Gilbert Burns. Since returning to welterweight in 2019, “Durinho” has gone 5-1, a record that includes victories over Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson. His sole loss in that period came to titleholder Usman last February.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Cav4XoOszBO/

    With Burns sat at #2 in the weight class and Chimaev rapidly surging up the divisional ladder, many have highlighted their clash next month as a title eliminator. At UFC 272 this past weekend, UFC President Dana White even suggested that idea “makes sense.”

    But one man who disagrees with that sentiment is perhaps the one man Burns and Chimaev need onboard…

    Usman: Chimaev Hasn’t Even Fought In The Top 10

    Despite already gaining more mainstream attention than most fighters do across their entire careers, Chimaev sits outside the top 10 and only boasts one win over a ranked opponent.

    While the victory over Jingliang showed his potential and further extended his dominance in the Octagon so far, many have suggested “Borz” requires triumphs over top-10 and top-five opponents before entering the title discussions.

    That belief was shared by the champion during a media scrum prior to the UFC 272 ceremonial weigh-ins in Las Vegas last week.

    “Well, I mean, this guy hasn’t even fought in the top 10. He hasn’t even beat anyone yet,” said Usman.” So, I mean, Covington is still standing in the way. So I think there’s still a couple more fights that he has to get through. But, like I say, I love to compete. When that fight presents itself, I’ll be here to compete.”

    Usman didn’t, however, specifically discuss the possibility of Burns earning a rematch with a win over Chimaev. The Brazilian recently suggested he’ll accept nothing but a title shot. However, the mention of Covington perhaps suggests “The Nigerian Nightmare” expects the victor to go through the former interim champ first.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CYL8h4XgBwP/

    While it appears opinion will be split on Chimaev’s title credentials should he emerge victorious over Burns at UFC 273, the fact Usman isn’t expected to defend his gold against Leon Edwards until the summer will perhaps lead to another fight for “Borz” regardless.

    After Covington maintained his place at #1 on the welterweight ladder this past weekend with a five-round triumph over Jorge Masvidal, it seems he’s the man to beat in the division. Perhaps we’ll see the winner of Chimaev vs. Burns face “Chaos” later this year, with a shot at championship glory at stake.

    Do you agree with Kamaru Usman? Does Khamzat Chimaev need a few more wins before challenging for the throne?

  • White Says Burns vs. Chimaev “Makes Sense” As #1-Contender Fight

    Dana White has implied that the winner of Gilbert Burns vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273 is likely next in line for a world title fight.

    A bout between Chimaev and Burns had been rumored for several weeks prior to being confirmed by Dana White last week on The Underground. And yesterday, the UFC officially announced the fight during the UFC 272 broadcast.

    Burns and Chimaev will be meeting next month at UFC 273, and from the sounds of it, there could be a lot riding on the fight.

    Speaking to reporters during the UFC 272 post-fight press conference, White said that it “makes sense” for the winner of Chimaev and Burns to receive a world title shot.

    Burns already had a shot at Kamaru Usman last year at UFC 258, with Usman defeating his ex-teammate via TKO. Meanwhile, Chimaev has already put Usman on notice that he expects to be sharing the Octagon with him in the future.

    Chimaev has yet to face even the slightest waft of adversity during his remarkable UFC start, only being hit with one significant strike in four fights. The phenom currently has a professional MMA record of 10-0.

    Gilbert Burns is ranked #2 at welterweight and has won seven of his last eight fights. As a welterweight, Burns is 6-1, with each bout taking place in the UFC. The lone loss was the aforementioned one to reigning champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 258 last year.

    If the winner does become the #1 contender, that does not necessarily mean they will challenge Kamaru Usman. This is because Usman is expected to defend against Leon Edwards this summer. In fact, should Edwards unseat Usman, the Burns/Chimaev winner may have to wait their turn after a potential Edwards/Usman rematch under this scenario.

    That said, if Chimaev does to Gilbert Burns what he’s done to all others put in his path, it seems quite possible that Borz could eat up Edwards’ spot as the next challenger for Usman’s crown.

    With Burns/Chimaev now 100% official, the updated UFC 273 lineup is as follows:

    Featherweight Championship Bout: Alexander Volkanovski © vs. The Korean Zombie

    Bantamweight Championship Bout: Aljamain Sterling © vs. Petr Yan

    Gilbert Burns vs. Khamzat Chimaev

    Mackenzie Dern vs. Tecia Torres

    Kelvin Gastelum vs. Nassourdine Imavov

    Irene Aldana vs. Aspen Ladd

    Ian Garry vs. Darian Weeks

    Chris Curtis vs. Dricus Du Plessis

    Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Marcin Tybura

    Albert Duraev vs. Anthony Hernandez

    Mickey Gall vs. Mike Malott

    Pat Sabatini vs. Gavin Tucker

    Julio Arce vs. Daniel Santos

    Mark Madsen vs. Vinc Pichel

    Kay Hansen vs. Piera Rodriguez

    Who do you predict will win between Gilbert Burns and Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273?

  • Gilbert Burns: I’m Only Taking A Title Fight After I Beat Chimaev

    UFC welterweight Gilbert Burns says he will only be accepting a title fight if he conquers undefeated Khamzat Chimaev in his next fight.

    Burns and Chimaev have both openly spoken of their intentions to fight each other in their next Octagon appearances with no official confirmation of a bout between the pair by the UFC as of yet. Meanwhile, the Brazilian has also requested that their fight be a five-rounder.

    But now, Burns has gone one step further as he has emphasised he will only be looking to fight for the title with a victory over Chimaev.

    Burns Wants Title Shot If He Derails Chimaev’s Hype Train

    Gilbert Burns
    Gilbert Burns, Credit: Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty

    Speaking to The Schmo, Burns said that he is preparing to face Chimaev on April 9th at UFC 273 but has yet to have had confirmation of the fight. He also spoke on what he expects from the UFC if he defeats the #11-ranked welterweight.

    “Me, I want to fight for the title,” said Burns. “Why am I gonna fight Colby or Masvidal? I have nothing against these guys. I don’t want to push no one down. I don’t want to put myself up there (and) push anyone down. I respect everyone in that division. I think he’s one of the toughest in the division.

    “But beating Chimaev, #11 in the rankings with all that hype—to be completely honest, I don’t have to fight this guy. But I’m a fighter, I’m a competitor. I want to fight. I want to stay active.”

    Chimaev and many others have claimed that nobody is willing to face the rising star, with Burns along with Neil Magny as two of few that were eager to fight the Swede. Burns himself also claimed nobody was willing to face him, which led to his callout of Chimaev.

    “(None) of these guys want to fight me. The only guy that’s willing is Chimaev. So why not? I’m gonna fight the guy. And beating this guy, taking that hype away, the only fight I’m doing (next) is the title shot. That’s the only fight that I’m taking.”

    Do you see Gilbert Burns derailing the hype train of Khamzat Chimaev?

  • Khamzat Chimaev Sends Message Of Support To Jon Jones

    Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has had a rough past few months, but he still has a strong supporter in Khamzat Chimaev.

    Jones recently announced that he and his longtime fiancée, Jessie Moses, have split following Jones’ latest arrest back in September. He was accused of battering Moses in a Las Vegas hotel room before headbutting a police vehicle during his arrest.

    The battery domestic violence charges were dropped in exchange for Jones paying a small fine for the damage inflicted on the police vehicle. It’s still unclear what fully transpired between Jones and Moses leading up to when local authorities arrived at the scene.

    Jones has a lot on his plate at the moment ahead of his anticipated UFC return in 2022. He’s expected to make his heavyweight debut and potentially challenge for the heavyweight title later this year.

    In a tweet, Chimaev reached out to Jones in a message of support following his recent controversies.

    “We are with you legend [Jon Jones],” Chimaev said.

    Chimaev has risen to stardom following a dominant run in the UFC Octagon. He most recently dismantled Li Jingliang at UFC 267 and has allegedly been in talks to face former title challenger Gilbert Burns later this year.

    Jones has been under fire from fans, pundits, and fighting colleagues following his most recent arrest in Las Vegas. UFC President Dana White went as far as saying that Jones has “a lot of demons” outside of competition.

    It’s not yet clear how Jones’ recent transgressions could impact his return to the cage, but Chimaev appears to still have faith in the former UFC champion.

    Who do you want Jon Jones to face in his return?

  • Darren Till and Khamzat Chimaev Help Feed The Homeless In Sweden

    Darren Till and Khamzat Chimaev are helping out the less fortunate.

    Darren Till is looking to improve his fight skills. He has been training in Stockholm, Sweden with Khamzat Chimaev. The two have been posting pictures of themselves together and have quickly become one of the most liked new UFC friendships. Till is known as a bit of a joker on social media and seems happy to be a part of Chimeav’s training crew.

    Recently, Till and Chimaev took their new friendship outside the gym to make a difference in the Stockholm community. The video was posted by FrontkickOnline that shows Till and Chimaev handing out meals to people in need. They handed out food and drinks alongside fellow Swedish fighter Reza Madadi to the people in Stockholm.

    This isn’t the first time Chimaev was seen doing something like this. He likes to help those in need when he can. He was seen giving food to a homeless man when he was in Vegas preparing for his fight against Gerald Meerschaert.

    Both men have been training together at Allstar Training Center in Stockholm. Neither man has a fight on the schedule at the moment, but there have been some talks.

    Chimaev has been rumored to be fighting Gilbert Burns in his next time out but nothing is official at the moment. Chimaev has been eagerly wanting a top-ranked opponent and if the deal with Burns can be done, he would put himself in a great position with a win.

    As for Till, he has had some trouble lately. He has lost two in a row and four of his last five. Till was at one time recently considered the top prospect in the welterweight division and fought for a title. He has since fallen off a bit and began trying his skills at middleweight. He is now ranked eighth at middleweight and could be looking to improve upon this position with the help of Chimaev and the team.

    What do you think of Darren Till and Khamzat Chimaev’s friendship?

  • Update: Extended Footage Of Darren Till Training With Khamzat Chimaev

    Extended footage is now available of UFC middleweight contender Darren Till training alongside rising welterweight star Khamzat Chimaev.

    Following Till’s latest setback in the Octagon, Chimaev, whose form and unbeaten UFC record have set him on the opposite trajectory to the Liverpudlian, invited “The Gorilla” to the Allstar Training Center in Stockholm.

    “If he wanna come to Stockholm, he’s welcome,” Chimaev said during an interview with BT Sport last October. “I told him, ‘I can help with the wrestling or something. We can spar. We can train.’”

    Having accepted the offer weeks later, Till has now made it a reality by journeying to Scandinavia. In a recent post uploaded to Instagram by the #8-ranked middleweight, the sweaty pair can be seen posing for a photo, likely having just completed a session together.

    Now, we have extended footage made public, which you can view in its entirety below.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52te8uUts5Y

    Till Will Hope To Overcome Ground Deficiencies With The Help Of Chimaev

    Chimaev’s initial offer came in the month after Till fell to his fourth defeat in five fights. In the UFC Vegas 36 main event last September, the Liverpudlian hoped to stake his claim for a title shot with a victory over divisional veteran Derek Brunson.

    After being dominated throughout and comfortably controlled on the ground, Till was submitted in the third round. Having subsequently revealed he’d fought through a torn ACL, “The Gorilla” has been on the sidelines ever since, with his comeback expected for later this year.

    If you’re on the hunt for an in-form fighter to train with, and one who’s dominated his opponents on the ground, there aren’t many better options than Chimaev.

    In four UFC outings, “Borz” has ragdolled three of his foes around the cage, submitting two and finishing the other with ground strikes. The one man who was able to avoid Chimaev’s imposing pressure-wrestling game was Gerald Meerschaert. He did so by going to sleep after 17 seconds courtesy of a brutal punch.

    With a rumored clash against Uriah Hall appearing unlikely to be next for Till given the veteran’s recent booking opposite Andre Muniz, we can expect to have some clarity regarding the Englishman’s future and next opponent in the coming months.

    When Till does return, we’ll be able to see if his work with Chimaev has paid off.

    Do you think training with Khamzat Chimaev will help Darren Till ahead of his return to the Octagon?

  • Shavkat Rakhmonov Gets “Annoyed” At Khamzat Chimaev Comparisons

    UFC welterweight prospect Shavkat Rakhmonov has admitted that comparisons between himself and fellow rising star Khamzat Chimaev frustrate him.

    When Chimaev returned from a lengthy year-plus layoff at UFC 267 last October, most discussions about future champions, future stars, and the most promising prospects in the promotion were directed towards “Borz.” Given the way he choked out “The Leech,” that was understandable.

    But at UFC Vegas 47, the first Kazakhstani citizen to compete in the Octagon entered the conversation and reminded fans, and the rest of the 170-pound crop, that he’s a name to keep an eye on.

    Prior to his UFC debut in 2020, Rakhmonov was a highly-touted M-1 champion across the Atlantic. But while his name would have been solely on European and Asian lips a number of years ago, “Nomad” has broken through on MMA’s biggest stage with three finishes in three UFC outings.

    Having submitted veteran Brazilians Alex Oliveira and Michel Prazeres, Rakhmonov maintained his undefeated record and 100% finishing rate in the promotion at UFC Vegas 47 by brutally knocking out the in-form Carlston Harris.

    Rakhmonov: “I Am Not Khamzat, I Am Shavkat”

    As far as gaining hype goes, there aren’t many better ways to do it than a spinning hook kick and a display of vicious ground-and-pound. Now, with his perfect résumé displaying 15 wins and 15 finishes, Rakhmonov is beginning to be spoken about in the same conversation as the ranked contenders in the welterweight division.

    One of those names is Khamzat Chimaev. With both men displaying their suffocating wrestling and submission games, as well as knockout power, in their early UFC careers, many have begun to compare the two and question how a fight between the pair would play out.

    That doesn’t please “Nomad.”

    During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Rakhmonov was asked whether he gets frustrated at the increasing comparisons being made between himself and the Chechen-born Swede. The 27-year-old confirmed he gets annoyed at what he identified as the question he gets asked the most.

    “Yeah, I get annoyed because I am not Khamzat, I am Shavkat,” Rakhmonov said through his translator. “This is a question I get asked the most; when are we going to fight? But time will show. Right now, I’m just being annoyed with these questions (about Chimaev).”

    It appears both men could be looking to further increase their stocks and rise up the welterweight ladder against two prominent Brazilians in their next outings. While talk of a Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns matchup has existed for months now, Rakhmonov has set his sights on the exciting and unpredictable Michel Pereira.

    While they may be on parallel paths at the moment, it certainly wouldn’t be surprising to see “Nomad” and “Borz” share the Octagon down the line, perhaps even with gold on the line?

    Do you see both Khamzat Chimaev and Shavkat Rakhmonov as future UFC welterweight champions?

  • Chimaev: Usman Needs Two-Division Success To Catch GSP

    UFC welterweight Khamzat Chimaev has claimed that Kamaru Usman needs to become a two-division champion to compete with Georges St-Pierre‘s greatness.

    Chimaev is currently eyeing up the possibility of facing the champion in a fight or two, with the Swede scheduled to face top-ranked contender Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 on April 9th.

    It appears visa issues are delaying confirmation of the fight taking place, with Chimaev’s current visa expiring in late March.

    Chimaev: Usman Needs Two-Division Success To Be Considered GOAT

    Kamaru Usman
    Kamaru Usman, Image Credit: Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images.

    Speaking to RT Sport MMA, Chimaev referenced St-Pierre’s success of becoming a double champion in the UFC when asked whether he considers the current welterweight champion the division’s greatest of all time.

    “Kamaru has been the champion at one weight,” Chimaev said. “Georges has done it at two or three weight classes, right? Two. So if Kamaru does what GSP did, then he will catch up with him. If he does more, he will surpass him.”

    St-Pierre defended his welterweight title nine times as a champion, cementing his place in the Hall of Fame and as arguably the greatest welterweight of all time. Meanwhile, Usman has defended his belt five times, entering the GOAT discussion himself. He also holds the record for most consecutive wins in the division.

    Potentially, Chimaev will be looking to spoil any chances of Usman achieving such fate as surpassing St-Pierre’s welterweight records by defeating ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ further down the line.

    The current #11-ranked welterweight had threatened to ‘smash’ Usman when the UFC welterweight champion spoke on proposed plans to jump to light heavyweight to take on Jan Blachowicz when he was the title holder.

    Leon Edwards is likely up next to try dethrone Usman, who recently undertook surgery on his right hand to repair a ligament. That bout is rumored to take place on international fight week, which will host UFC 276.

    Who do you see as the welterweight GOAT? Georges St-Pierre or Kamaru Usman?

  • Burns Says He’s Getting Constant Messages To End Chimaev Hype

    Gilbert Burns is ready to end the hype associated with Khamzat Chimaev.

    Gilbert Burns has been atop the welterweight rankings for some time. He had a title fight against champion Kamaru Usman back in February of last year and has been trying to get back to that ever since.

    Burns has been gunning for almost all of the top five fighters in the rankings. Unfortunately for him, none of them have agreed to fight him. One man is interested, however, and that man is rising star Khamzat Chimaev.

    Chimaev burst onto the UFC scene in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. The UFC was doing a series of events in Abu Dhabi on Fight Island and Chimaev quickly became the star of that show. He fought twice on Fight Island in two weeks and won both by way of stoppages. He made another quick turnaround fighting two months later and kept the hype train moving. After falling ill from COVID, Chimaev took some time off, but fans haven’t forgotten his talent.

    Chimaev has been calling out ranked fighters left and right. He wants to quickly make his rise up the ranks and fight for the title soon. He has the backing of other fighters and fans around him. He might be the most hyped fighter on the roster at this point, and Burns is ready to stop that if they get the chance to fight.

    “I’m getting messages from everybody from everywhere,” Burns told The Schmo. “‘Finish that guy,’ ‘Stop the hype,’ and everything. I appreciate you guys. And tune in on April 9th. It’s not a done deal yet, but I believe it will be very soon. So tune in April 9.”

    The fight between these two has been rumored for quite a while now. Chimaev wants it because Burns is sitting in the number two spot and Burns wants it partly because everyone is high on Chimaev. This potential fight has a lot riding on it, with the winner potentially being next in line for champion Kamaru Usman.

    Do you think Gilbert Burns can end the hype behind Khamzat Chimaev?

  • Gilbert Burns Provides Update On Chimaev Bout, Wants Five-Rounder

    Gilbert Burns intends to find out just what exactly rising star Khamzat Chimaev is really made of.

    Khamzat Chimaev is widely considered to be arguably the top rising prospect on the entire UFC roster. He has earned this reputation by looking more dominant than anyone has looked in the UFC across four fights both statistically and visibly speaking. However, the fact remains that he is still very much untested in terms of Octagon time and level of competition.

    WATCH! Khamzat Chimaev talks to UFC President Dana White while lifting up his opponent mid-air » FirstSportz
    “Borz” Manhandles Li Jingliang Just Because

    At UFC 267, Chimaev proved that he can impose his will and manhandle a proven and ranked opponent in Li Jingliang. But even still, as the MMA saying goes, ‘There’s levels to this.’ And there are still many levels for Chimaev to climb yet.

    Burns Requests Five-Round Bout Against Chimaev

    Gilbert Burns says he is ready and willing to introduce Chimaev to the difference between what “Borz” has seen thus far in his 10-fight MMA career and the level that awaits him in the top-5 of the UFC’s welterweight division.

    In a recent interview, Chimaev revealed that he has no idea what the delay is from making his targeted fight with Burns official. Now, Burns has addressed where things stand in the contract negotiations, which include his alleged request for the fight to be a five-rounder.

    “Just waiting on the UFC with the confirmation and the contract,” Burns told The Schmo in his update on where things stand. “But I’m already in camp. I’m already getting ready for April 9 in Jacksonville against Chimaev. That’s what I see.

    “And I asked for five rounds. I don’t see no contract yet. I hope they do five rounds. And (I’m) just getting ready.”

    Burns went on to state that he does not know whether the UFC will grant his request or not, but he expects to gain clarification once he is presented with the official contract.

    One thing we did learn from this latest interview from Burns is that all signs are a go for Chimaev vs. Burns on April 9. Now, all that’s left to do is send out the contracts to both fighters, which may or may not include the words “five-round bout” in the documentation.

    Do you think Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns being a five-round fight would make a difference in how the fight would play out?

  • Khamzat Chimaev Tells Daniel Cormier Why He’s Better Than Him

    Khamzat Chimaev has fired back after former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier doubted the welterweight’s chances of defeating middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya.

    In last weekend’s pay-per-view main event, Adesanya extended his rule over the 185-pound weight class with a unanimous decision victory over Robert Whittaker. With the triumph, “The Last Stylebender” improved his unbeaten middleweight record and added a fourth title defense to his immaculate résumé.

    But despite the win, not everyone was impressed. In the aftermath, former flyweight and bantamweight king Henry Cejudo touted Chimaev as the man who can stop Adesanya’s dominance.

    “Borz,” who has expressed a desire to achieve success at both welterweight and middleweight in the past, responded to Cejudo’s prediction by suggesting Adesanya “is not ready to die.”

    While Chimaev’s dominance in the UFC to date has seen him dismantle and finish four opponents, including Gerald Meerschaert at 185 pounds, and gain widespread acclaim as a future welterweight champion, Daniel Cormier believes his success will be limited to 170 pounds for as long as Adesanya is on the middleweight throne.

    During a recent episode of ESPN MMA’s DC & RC, the former heavyweight and light heavyweight titleholder suggested Chimaev’s downfall in a fight against Adesanya would be his nature to “rush” and search for an early finish.

    “I’ve been hearing Chimaev from a lot of people. Cejudo said it this morning. My problem with Chimaev is: Chimaev’s going to rush, and because he’ll rush to get Izzy out of there, he’s gonna get himself into trouble,” said Cormier. “I don’t know if Chimaev is the guy because he’s obviously smaller (than Adesanya). But his style won’t allow for him to sit back with Adesanya.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

    If there’s one man you have to expect a response from when discussing a future defeat for him, it’s Chimaev…

    Chimaev To Cormier: “I’m Not You”

    Before he even responded directly to Cormier, Chimaev has previously discussed one of the last remaining questions about his ability and potential: his conditioning.

    Having never fought beyond the second minute of the second round in the UFC, and having finished three of his foes in the opening frame, many have questioned whether Chimaev can maintain his level of dominance and intense output across three or five rounds.

    “Borz” recently answered those questions in an interview with RT Sport MMA by claiming he actually improves in the later rounds. Acknowledging Cormier’s “rush” theory, the Chechen-born Swede suggested he becomes more technical and calculated when he enters deeper waters because he’s too explosive and energetic at the start of fights.

    With that belief in mind, it’s no surprise to see Chimaev shut Cormier’s prediction down emphatically. In a post on Twitter, the #11-ranked welterweight contender had a simple response: “I’m not you.”

    “@dc_mma for you and your team, it may be a problem, but not for me. If you think he might be a problem for me let him try to stop me. Do you know why I am better than you? because I’m not you, I’m different”

    As it stands, with compatriot Kamaru Usman on the welterweight throne, Adesanya is safe from below. But if Chimaev dispatches Gilbert Burns, a matchup that’s long been rumored and is expected for the coming months, and continues his unbeaten form all the way to one belt, “The Last Stylebender” may well be met with a puzzle unsolved by anyone during Borz’s pursuit of another.

    Although with their latest exchange, perhaps that previously discussed Cormier vs. Chimaev wrestling match will come first…

    How do you think a fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Israel Adesanya would play out?