Khamzat Chimaev thinks taking on the middleweight champion would be an easy task.
One of the quickest rises in the UFC over the past few years has been that of Khamzat Chimaev. He burst onto the scene back in 2020 and won an astonishing three fights in just over a month’s time. Since then he has racked up six UFC wins over two weight classes. Chimaev has seemed to set himself up for title shots at either welterweight or middleweight, but after missing weight his last time out Dana White has announced that he will be forced to move to 185 pounds.
Chimaev is fine with the move and thinks that the champion of that division, Alex Pereira would be easy work for him. Pereira is still fairly new to MMA and although he has an intensive kickboxing background, lacks in the wrestling department. This is where Chimaev thinks he can capitalize.
Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t think Alex Pereira would land a single punch if they fight
Chimaev has not fought since his scheduled fight against Nate Diaz that was shaken up. He missed the welterweight limit of 170 pounds for that bout and was removed from the fight. He was placed against Kevin Holland at a catchweight instead and won. Now he is sitting in the number three spot of the welterweight rankings but could be next for a title shot at middleweight. If that is the case and he winds up facing Pereira, Chimaev believes he will be in great shape. He spoke about this on The MMA Hour.
“I don’t know that’s why maybe UFC didn’t call me about that fight okay, I don’t know why didn’t call, I was ready,” he said. “I can fight in Brazil, doesn’t matter the difference plus which weight class he wants. Is most easiest fight for me in the UFC. In my career, brother. First round, first minute, easy. No punch, no nothing.”
Chimaev has a wrestling-heavy style but can also strike with the best. So far since coming to the UFC he has ended almost every bout with either a KO or submission. Chimaev thinks if he can get his hands on Pereira then the night would be over quickly, without even one punch being thrown. He already achieved this feat when he fought Gerald Meerschaert. In order for any of this to happen Pereira must first defeat Israel Adesanya again when they meet in April.
