Khamzat Chimaev is calling for a fight with Alex Pereira after being snubbed of a middleweight title shot.
It was Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 MMA) who anticipated getting a shot at the middleweight title following his majority decision victory over Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA) this past October in Abu Dhabi at UFC 294.
That was not to be, as the UFC announced it would be the number 2 ranked middleweight contender Dricus Du Plessis (20-2 MMA) who would get the nod against current champion Sean Strickland (28-5 MMA). It will be Du Plessis vs. Strickland at UFC 297 which takes place on Saturday, January 20th at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario.
The undefeated Khamzat Chimaev was not impressed with the UFC’s decision and wants the promotion to know that he wants to fight Alex Pereira next.
Taking to ‘X‘, with a picture of Chimaev and Pereira side by side, ‘Borz’ stated:
“@dana white let me finish him”
Pereira (9-2 MMA) earlier this month, at UFC 295, fought and defeated Jiri Prochazka (29-4 MMA) via TKO to claim the UFC light heavyweight crown.
‘Poatan’ at 36, is a former UFC middleweight champion and the current UFC light heavyweight champion.
This is not the first time that Chimaev has called out Pereira. It was just over a year ago, after Pereira defeated Israel Adesanya (24-3 MMA) at UFC 281 and claimed the middleweight title, that Chimaev called out the Brazilian.
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MMA fans scoff at Khamzat Chimaev request for UFC title fight with Alex Pereira
For a few years now, Khamzat Chimaev has been seen as one of the top prospects in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. While he has yet to win a world title, he certainly seems to be close to a shot at the belt.
Most recently, ‘Borz’ faced off against Kamaru Usman in a fascinating short-notice collision. Chimaev got the win, but he was made to work pretty hard in order to get over the finish line.
Now, he’s once again opted to tease the idea of a showdown with Alex Pereira. As we know, ‘Poatan’ is now the UFC light heavyweight champion after he knocked out Jiri Prochazka.
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In response to Chimaev’s challenge, MMA fans had a few thoughts.
Fight fans react to Khamzat Chimaev calling out Alex Pereira
“Bro wants a light heavyweight title shot for narrowly beating a welterweight at middleweight on 10 days notice.”
“For the love of christ please just stay in one division.”
“Soon as Chimaev goes for the takedown Poatan gonna kick his ass back to Abu Dhabi.”
“Bru you couldn’t finish Usman with no training camp, don’t talk.”
“You haven’t smeshed anyone in forever, kid.”
“You’re going to sleep if that left hook connect your chin.”
There’s no denying that this would be a fantastic matchup to watch unfold in the Octagon. At the same time, it just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for Pereira right now.