Khamzat Chimaev by no means met a line he wouldn’t cross. The undefeated middleweight contender proved that after once more this week when he left Daniel Cormier and followers surprised and laughing with a remark which may have torpedoed his probabilities at any White Home card look.
Khamzat Chimaev
Throughout a pre-UFC 319 interview with the previous mild heavyweight champion, Cormier playfully complimented Chimaev’s look, joking that his face and pores and skin had been “stunning.” The Chechen-born fighter’s response was trademark Khamzat Chimaev – unfiltered.
“I don’t have to be stunning. Ladies like terrorists.”
Ladies like terrorists
The veteran commentator, clearly stunned and laughing, fired again: “You’re so loopy, you may’t say that!” However the harm was achieved, and social media erupted with followers questioning every little thing from his UFC future to his visa standing.
The timing couldn’t be worse for “Borz.” With Donald Trump and Dana White reportedly discussing a possible UFC occasion on the White Home, Chimaev’s quip has primarily eradicated him from consideration. Followers had been fast to attach the dots, with one writing: “The even 1.3% likelihood of him making that White Home card simply went proper out the window.”
UFC 319
This controversy arrives as Chimaev stands on the precipice of career-defining success. At UFC 319 this Saturday in Chicago, he faces middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis in what many think about probably the most anticipated title struggle of the yr. The stakes couldn’t be larger – an ideal 14-0 document hangs within the steadiness, together with years of collected hype and expectation.
Chimaev’s path to this second has been something however typical. Born in war-torn Chechnya in 1994, he witnessed conflicts that formed his worldview and maybe contributed to his controversial humorousness. His household fled to Sweden when he was 18, the place he dominated the wrestling scene earlier than transitioning to combined martial arts. The journey from refugee to UFC sensation is outstanding, however his feedback proceed to overshadow his athletic achievements.
His UFC profession reads like a spotlight reel of destruction. Since his 2020 debut, Chimaev has bulldozed by way of each opponent positioned earlier than him. He holds the document for the shortest turnaround between UFC victories – simply 10 days – and has by no means been taken previous the third spherical. His victims embrace former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, high contender Gilbert Burns, and most lately, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, whom he submitted with a face crank in simply over three minutes.
But for all his dominance, Chimaev stays a polarizing determine. His relationship with Chechen chief Ramzan Kadyrov has drawn criticism from fellow fighters like Sean Strickland, who branded him as supporting a “terrorist dictator.” The controversy follows him wherever he competes, with many questioning whether or not he must be allowed to struggle in america in any respect.
Born Russian, turned Swedish resident, now combating underneath the UAE flag – Chimaev’s allegiances shift as typically as his weight courses. He maintains his Russian passport whereas coaching in Abu Dhabi, creating a posh net of loyalties that feeds into the controversy surrounding his feedback.
Dricus du Plessis
The South African Dricus du Plessis has methodically labored his technique to the highest, defeating a who’s who of middleweights together with Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland twice, and Robert Whittaker. His ungainly fashion has been mocked, however outcomes don’t lie.
The champion’s crew believes they’re going through an advanced model of their fighter. “You guys can anticipate fireworks. I imagine you will note a DDP 2.0,” teammate Mark Hulme promised. It’s the sort of confidence that comes from figuring out your fighter has been examined in five-round wars and emerged victorious every time.
The controversial challenger looking for vindication towards the regular champion who defied expectations. Chimaev’s unbeaten document towards du Plessis’s confirmed championship mettle. The explosive grappler towards the sturdy grinder.
