Fans lopsidedly rule out Alex Pereira's odds against Khamzat Chimaev in potential fight
MMA fans have been debating a bout between newly crowned middleweight champion Alex Pereira and welterweight star Khamzat Chimaev.
Pereira shocked the world when he finished Israel Adesanya in the fifth round of UFC 281's main event. 'The Last Stylebender' was 3-1 up on all three judges' scorecards heading into the last round, but the Brazilian's pressure finally paid off as he handed Adesanya his first loss at middleweight.
The fan debate comes after Khamzat Chimaev called out Alex Pereira following the main event. 'Borz' is an elite-level wrestler and grappler and his dominance in the octagon has many believing he is destined to become a multi-divisional champion.
In a Twitter post, Will Harris asked fans about Alex Pereira's chances against Chimaev.
Hypothetically, If Khamzat does fight Alex in January, what chance are you giving Alex? Speak your mind. #UFC283
Adult film star Kendra Lust responded, hinting that the Brazilian likely needs a KO:
"A punchers chance."
@WillHarrisAOAF A punchers chance.
Another fan believes 'Borz' is almost certainly going to win via a first-round submission:
"First round rear naked choke..."
@WillHarrisAOAF First round rear naked choke... https://t.co/fmvmBWCDFE
Twitter user @Adam_R02 went as far as to say he gives the middleweight champion no chance against the Chechen-born fighter's wrestling:
"0% chance for Alex the way Khamzat took Kevin Holland apart doesn't give Alex a chance"
@WillHarrisAOAF 0% chance for Alex the way Khamzat took Kevin Holland apart doesn’t give Alex a chance
Check out more of the fan debate below:
@WillHarrisAOAF I’m excited about this fight! But I think if khamzat takes him down he has a major advantage but if he decides to stand up ( whic every fight starts out standing) it’s over for him!
@WillHarrisAOAF Nobody wants to see that lmao who has Chimaev fought at 185 in order to give him a title shot? Gerald Meerschaert? And missed weight vs Nate?
@WillHarrisAOAF is there a number lower than zero?
@WillHarrisAOAF I don’t have faith in khamzat at middleweight cos if burns could crack him and make he look reckless. Alex will put him to sleep he’s at welterweight for a reason, Paulo beats him tbh
@WillHarrisAOAF From 10 to 15 seconds.
@WillHarrisAOAF I respect alex as a fighter but khamzat will win easily
@WillHarrisAOAF If Khamzat gets a title shot at 185 for quite literally no reason at all. Just throw away the rankings in every weight class because then they would be useless
@WillHarrisAOAF Poatan clearly has the striking edge.
Khamzat would really need to bulk up to make up for size difference because size matters.
Overall, Khamzat needs a proper test in MW before fighting for the title.
@WillHarrisAOAF Everyone has a punchers chance. But man, Khamzats wrestling is……..
@WillHarrisAOAF Alex too big for him
Khamzat Chimaev predicts he will become a two-division champion next year
Khamzat Chimaev has confirmed that he has his eyes on both the welterweight and middleweight division titles.
The 28-year-old recently came under fire after missing weight by a staggering 7.5lbs for his UFC 279 bout against Nate Diaz. The card was forced into a reshuffle and after the event, Dana White confirmed that Chimaev will be given one more chance to make 170lbs.
The next fight for 'Borz' is expected to be Colby Covington. The UFC president alluded to their fight being the co-main event for Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3 next year, with the winner earning a welterweight title shot.
In a recent interview with ESPN MMA, 'Borz' stated that his plan is to defeat 'Chaos', win the title and then set his sights on Alex Pereira at the top of the middleweight division:
"Next year, it's my year. Colby, I beat him. Then they have to give me a fight for a belt. Whichever weight class, it doesn't matter. I'm ready for some belts. I don't think he will [Covington accepting fight against him]. Sometimes people say something and do different things. If Dana calls me and he asks me things, I say do it... I appreciate what Dana and the UFC do for me."
Catch Khamzat Chimaev's full interview here: