If Khamzat Chimaev had the selection, his subsequent opponent can be Alex Pereira for the sunshine heavyweight title.
The brand new UFC middleweight champion captured the title with a lopsided determination win over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in August. Pereira simply regained the 205-pound belt with an 80-second TKO win over Magomed Ankalaev in the primary occasion of UFC 320 earlier this month in a rematch.
When requested what he would love subsequent if he had his druthers, Chimaev mentioned it will be Pereira — doubling down on his social media callout following Pereira’s most up-to-date win.
“When you ask me, after all I might like to combat for the second belt,” Chimaev mentioned on the Badaev Podcast (h/t Crimson Nook MMA). “It’s no secret, the man who’s bought the belt at 205 kilos now’s an excellent matchup for me, apart from [if] I ought to get reckless standing with him.
“They are saying he has a number of energy, however I’ve by no means been edged out in that space,” Chimaev mentioned. “He used to combat at 185, too, after which moved as much as 205. So I want to combat at gentle heavyweight.”
With Chimaev holding the title at 185 kilos, the division opens as much as some new and contemporary matchups as there’s a slew of contenders ready in line. Nassourine Imavov handed Caio Borralho his first UFC loss with a unanimous determination victory in the primary occasion of September’s UFC Paris occasion.
Reinier de Ridder was slated to headline this Saturday’s UFC Vancouver card in opposition to surging contender Anthony Hernandez, however Hernandez was scratched because of damage. Now, de Ridder faces Brendan Allen within the new foremost occasion, and may the previous ONE champion get one other octagon victory, he’ll make a case to combat Chimaev subsequent.
Whereas “Borz” would like to face Pereira subsequent, if the UFC places him in a protection of his newly received title subsequent, Chimaev will say sure — if the value is correct, after all.
“However whether or not they give me Nassourdine, de Ridder, or Hernandez, I don’t care,” Chimaev defined. “Simply pay me some good cash. … I’ve at all times been like that. When you think about your self the perfect, you shouldn’t care who it’s important to combat.”
