Khamzat Chimaev believes he’s the clear-cut number-one contender at middleweight.
In the lead-up to UFC 297, Chimaev made it known he would be fighting the winner of Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis and wanted it at UFC 300. However, ahead of his first title defense, Strickland made it clear that he didn’t think Chimaev deserved a title shot as he needed to beat a ranked opponent at 185lbs first.
“It’s kind of hard man, I’d prefer somebody new. Chimaev- I mean, rankings f*****g matter dude. Has Chimaev ever fought an 85er? Not a ranked 85er,” Strickland said before UFC 297. “He took Usman off the couch for a f*****g week. Come on dude. Stop f*****g with UFC. Go back to being a real f*****g sporting event, go back to f*****g rankings. I don’t give a f**k. Again, I don’t give a f**k who it is. Make the stack of money bigger, I’ll fight you, you know?”
Ultimately, Sean Strickland ended up losing his title by split decision to Dricus Du Plessis. Yet, the South African had a similar thought about Khamzat Chimaev getting the next title shot.
Khamzat Chimaev explains why he deserves a title fight
Although Strickland and Du Plessis didn’t think Khamzat Chimaev deserved a title shot, the Swede explained why he does, and took aim at the former champ.
“Ask the guy who was beating you up every day in the gym. How many times I submit that guy? How many times I beat that guy? He went to his coach, please tell the guy to go easy. And the guy said I went crazy with some guy who was 166 (pounds) or this sh*t. He’s lying, man! He’s trying to say I am this, I am that. He’s trying to be some macho man. You are not a macho man! When I punched you hard, you went to your coach and said, ‘Please, tell this guy to go easy.’ No, f*ck off man, what are you talking about? I beat you up,” Chimaev said to ESPN.
“You were running from me. I’ve been in his home, his gym. Nobody never comes to my gym and tries to beat me up. Do you see anyone, did you see anyone come to my gym to beat me up? I went to all these guys, all these gyms. I’ve been everywhere, I’m not scared of anyone. I beat up everyone. I don’t remember losing sparring, maybe I lose some minutes or some rounds, I always win my sparring. It’s good for me to not fight me,” Chimaev continued.
As of right now, it’s uncertain if Khamzat Chimaev will get the next middleweight title shot. But, the Swede thinks he’s the only deserving contender and is confident he would win the title with ease.
