The UFC has not yet finalized who will be Khamzat Chimaev’s first challenger for the organization’s middleweight belt.
The UFC has not yet finalized who will be Khamzat Chimaev’s first challenger for the organization’s middleweight belt. But the Russian already wants to think about other career actions, including a possible meeting with a Brazilian for another belt.
In an interview with Badaev Podcast, the Chechen stated that his future goal is to face Alex Poatan for the light heavyweight belt, seeing in the Brazilian the possibility of a fighting marriage that he considers ‘good’ to test his fighting style;
– In my opinion, of course I want to fight for the second belt. It’s no secret that the guy who holds the title (referring to Poatan) is a fight that suits me well – said Chimaev.
In this case, the test would be that of a “striker” with a heavy hand and known KO power against a “grappler” who spares no second in the fight to take down his rival and suffocate him to victory. Both the Brazilian and the Russian have become two of the major stars in UFC and MMA in recent years.
So, a hypothetical matchup between Poatan and Chimaev in the 93kg could represent a big attraction for Ultimate, now that the company will have a new TV contract in the USA (with Paramount) from 2026 and, above all, the much talked about event to be held at the White House in June. In case such a duel was expected, the Russian made his projection on the clash.
– Unless he is careless in striking. They say Alex has a lot of strength, but no one has surpassed me in that area yet. He also fought at middleweight and then moved up the ranks. So I also wanted to move up to light heavyweights – said ‘Borz’, who however does not want to ‘force’ his move up in category, proposing himself to try to defend his 84 kg belt.
– I don’t care if they give me (Nassourdine) Imavov, Reinier (De Ridder), Anthony Hernandez. I am not interested. I just want them to pay me well. I’ve always been like this. If you want to be the best, you don’t have to worry about who you fight,” he said.
Source: Terra
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