A fighter has laid down a challenge to Khamzat Chimaev ahead of his first title defense.
Chimaev seemingly doesn’t plan on staying at middleweight for too long, with him already having his eyes on the sunshine heavyweight division.
It’s going to be a while before the undefeated champion is back in motion on account of an operation that may keep him out for just a few months.
Nevertheless, Chimaev has named Nassourdine Imavov as his first challenger, though he’s since admitted that he doesn’t really need this fight.
A fighter that ‘Borz’ has history with desires to make the champion’s return much more interesting by throwing a wager on top of it.
- LATEST NEWS: Arman Tsarukyan by chance let slip why he actually pulled out against Islam Makhachev
What number of fights must have Khamzat Chimaev have before moving up a weight class and who should he face?
Tell us what you wish to see from the middleweight champion within the comments below.
Joaquin Buckley offers Khamzat Chimaev money if he strikes for one round in his next fight
Khamzat Chimaev’s title win at UFC 319 was one of the vital dominant performances of the 12 months.
In truth, it was so one-sided that it could have been essentially the most uncompetitive title fight that has ever taken place contained in the Octagon.
Nevertheless, many criticized Chimaev’s performance against Dricus du Plessis for being too conservative because he didn’t threaten his opponent despite being in complete control of him.
UFC welterweight Joaquin Buckley doesn’t wish to see this occur again, specifically when the champion returns to tackle Nassourdine Imavov in 2026.
In a video on Instagram, ‘Recent Mansa’ shared his response to footage of Chimaev hitting pads, questioning why he’s practising his striking if he’s not going to make use of it.
“So look Khamzat, that is what I’m gonna do for you. Should you [are] capable of stay in your feet for one round, just in your feet and never use your wrestling, I’ll provide you with fifty thousand dollars. Oh, you heard me right… Guess what? Nassourdine, in case you’re capable of match that, that signifies that’s 100 thousand.”
- LATEST NEWS: Nate Diaz branded ‘delusional’ for naming opponent he wants for UFC comeback fight
Khamzat Chimaev was able to fight Joaquin Buckley backstage in 2022
It seems that Khamzat Chimaev desired to strike in his title win earlier this 12 months however it was his team who were pushing him to follow their winning strategy.
One thing we all know of course in regards to the middleweight champion is that he doesn’t back down from fights, which Joaquin Buckley came upon about first-hand.
Ahead of UFC 273 in 2022, Buckley was asking Darren Till about them being matched up in the long run, just for Chimaev to interrupt the conversation.
A reasonably polite conversation between Till and Buckley become an intense Chimaev calling the welterweight out and threatening that he’d fight him right then and there.
Join the controversy; share your insight. Use the comment button on the underside left to have your say