Former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev appears open to combating one other prime contender and never combating Sean Strickland subsequent.
Khamzat Chimaev suffered the primary lack of his in any other case stellar profession earlier this 12 months to Sean Strickland at UFC 328. Chimaev misplaced in his first UFC middleweight title protection after profitable the belt in opposition to Dricus du Plessis final 12 months at UFC 319.
After the loss, Chimaev informed UFC CEO Dana White that he supposed to maneuver to the sunshine heavyweight division following a brutal minimize to 185 lbs. However Chimaev has since modified his thoughts about transferring to 205 and referred to as for an instantaneous rematch in opposition to the newly topped champion Strickland.
With prime contender Nassourdine Imavov ready within the wings, Strickland vs. Chimaev 2 might additional delay the French star’s desired title shot. However Chimaev hinted that he’s open to squaring off in opposition to one other prime middleweight to organize to face the Strickland vs. Imavov winner.
Khamzat Chimaev calls out Caio Borralho, others as he pivots away from Sean Strickland rematch
In a current tweet, Chimaev referred to as for the UFC matchmakers to e book him a battle in opposition to one of many 4 prime middleweights.
“I’m prepared. Let me know when you’re prepared,” Chimaev mentioned.
“Sean, Dricus, Nassourdine, Caio.”
Strickland might probably return by the top of the 12 months after present process surgical procedure for an damage suffered earlier than the Chimaev battle. In the meantime, Imavov hasn’t fought since defeating Caio Borralho at UFC Paris final 12 months.
As for Borralho, he most just lately defeated Reinier de Ridder at UFC 324 earlier this 12 months. The previous Dana White’s Contender Sequence standout earned current wins over Abus Magomedov, Paul Craig, and Jared Cannonier.
The UFC’s matchmakers are within the strategy of finalizing the rest of the 12 months’s battle slate, with upcoming main occasions in Abu Dhabi and New York Metropolis. Within the meantime, Chimaev’s deliberate return to the Octagon might come on a kind of high-profile playing cards.
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