Ever since Khamzat Chimaev missed weight by over seven pounds at UFC 279 last September, many within the MMA community have wondered whether the Chechen-born Swede will continue competing at welterweight.
‘Borz’ has established himself as a force in the welterweight division and is currently the No.3-ranked contender in the UFC’s official rankings. However, his ability to comfortably make weight at 170lbs is still in question.
However, Gibert Burns seems to have an answer. In a tweet by TSN Sport’s Aaron Bronsteter, the journalist reported that when he questioned Burns about a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev, ‘Durinho’ claimed to have heard about Chimaev making a move to 185lbs.
“I spoke with Gilbert Burns today and when I asked him about a potential rematch with Khamzat Chimaev, he said that he had heard that Chimaev planned to move up to middleweight going forward.”
Read the tweet below:
Ever since Alex Pereira defeated Israel Adesanya at UFC 281 last November, ‘Borz’ has publicly expressed his intention to take on ‘Poatan’ on social media numerous times. While Chimaev has fought at middleweight multiple times in the past, only time will tell if he makes this a permanent move.
Daniel Cormier weighs in on Khamzat Chimaev not having a scheduled bout for 2023 yet
‘Borz’ last made an appearance at UFC 279 in September last year against Kevin Holland after missing weight by over seven pounds and having his original matchup against Nate Diaz reshuffled.
While the mercurial welterweight has expressed his interest in facing fighters like Alex Pereira and Colby Covington, nothing official has been announced yet and Daniel Cormier is worried that this might negatively affect Chimaev’s chances at a title shot.
On a recent episode of the DC & RC Show, Cormier weighed in on how the scheduled bout between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 on March 18 in London affects Khamzat Chimaev amidst his prolonged absence.
“For me, it’s a big concern because now we’re through the first quarter of the year, right?… So Khamzat is not in the first quarter. Who and when does he fight? He isn’t in a position right now where he is a once-a-year type of guy… I don’t understand why Khamzat Chimaev wouldn’t be in London even if it’s at middleweight… I would like him to be back at 170 against a guy like Colby Covington or a Belal Muhammad.”
Watch the full episode below: