Khamzat Chimaev still has aspirations of becoming a two-division UFC champion.
Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) started out his career competing at both welterweight and middleweight. He rose up the UFC ranks in both divisions until he committed to 185 pounds and claimed the title with a dominant performance over Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319.
The undefeated phenom is already eyeing a second UFC belt. With Alex Pereira (13-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) reclaiming the light heavyweight title, Chimaev likes his path toward that goal.
“If you ask me, of course I would love to fight for the second belt,” Chimaev said in an interview with Aslanbek Badaev (h/t Red Corner MMA). “It’s no secret the guy who’s got the belt at 205 pounds now is a very good matchup for me – except for should I get reckless standing with him. They say he has a lot of power, but I’ve never been edged out in that area. He used to fight at 185, too, and then moved up to 205. so I would like to fight at light heavyweight.”
Chimaev clarified that he’s willing to fight whomever the UFC offers him and likes his chances against anyone.
“But whatever they give me, Nassourdine (Imavov), (Reinier) de Ridder, or (Anthony) Hernandez, I don’t care,” Chimaev continued. “Just pay me some good money. … When you take it so easy, I have always been like that. If you consider yourself the best, you shouldn’t care who you have to fight.”
