Khamzat Chimaev refutes claims of rejecting potential Alex Pereira clash in Brazil

After Alex Pereira defeated Israel Adesanya to capture the UFC middleweight title last month, Khamzat Chimaev immediately called his shot at the title and urged the UFC to let him fight Pereira.

The newly-crowned middleweight champion recently appeared on The MMA Hour and claimed that he was targeting a matchup against Chimaev in January. Pereira added that the bosses made Chimaev an offer to fight him at UFC 283 in Brazil, but 'Borz' apparently declined it.

Catch Alex Pereira's interview below:

However, Chimaev has now refuted Pereira's claims. According to the Chechen-born Swede, no such offers were made, and he added that he was even actively asking the UFC about a fight in Brazil. Chimaev hopped on the comments section of MMA Fighting's Instagram post to give his rebuttal:

​

"Wtf I asked them about this fight in Brazil. Fake belt, fake coach, fake fighter."

Check out the exchange between Khamzat Chimaev and Alex Pereira:

ESPN MMA

@espnmma

Pereira says he asked the UFC to fight Chimaev in Brazil, but Khamzat had a different story

(via @KChimaev)

1954

117

Pereira says he asked the UFC to fight Chimaev in Brazil, but Khamzat had a different story 😬

(via @KChimaev) https://t.co/PZ2Q4QdW4W

Interestingly, Pereira also claimed that the UFC tried to book the matchup at light heavyweight. It would have been a curious move on the UFC's part, as neither Chimaev nor Pereira competes in the 205-pound weight class.

---

Khamzat Chimaev eager to fight Alex Pereira and Colby Covington

Khamzat Chimaev claimed that he's open to fighting UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira and top welterweight contender Colby Covington. He even claimed that he's willing to make a quick turnaround to accommodate both.

During an interview with ESPN, Chimaev claimed that he asked the UFC for a title bout against Pereira. However, the promotion's president Dana White seemingly has Covington in mind for Chimaev. To make all parties happy, 'Borz' assured the company that he would fight them both:

​

"They want [me to fight] in March. I said to [UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby] and Dana, I'm ready for Pereira in Brazil as well," Chimaev said. "Directly after that, March. If Colby wants to fight, I'll take my [middleweight] title and go back to [welterweight]."

Catch Khamzat Chimaev's interview below:

Chimaev is in a truly unique position as a UFC rising star. He mostly fought in the welterweight division, but his bungled weight mismanagement forced him to fight Kevin Holland at catchweight in his most recent outing.

​