Khamzat Chimaev reveals the potential timeline and venue for his much-anticipated UFC return
The No. 3-ranked UFC welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev, is eyeing an early 2023 return to the octagon.
In a recent vlog on his YouTube channel, the Russian-born Swedish mixed martial artist revealed that he was expecting to return to the UFC on a Las Vegas card in March. 'Borz' added that he is ready to fight at either welterweight or middleweight:
"I think we'll be [fighting in]...Vegas, March. Let's see, but I don't know who [I'll be fighting]. [It] Doesn't matter [if the fight is at welterweight or middleweight], I just need some opponent."
The 28-year-old added that even though many fighters like to call him out, every last one of them "runs away" when it's time to make it official and sign the contract:
"Every week I have [a] new opponent but nobody wants to fight. These guys speak a lot of trash talk, a lot of sh*t about me [saying] I don't want to fight you, I want to fight you [but] when it comes to the fight and sign the contract, everyone runs away. I'm always ready."
Watch the full vlog below:
Earlier this year, there were rumors about the UFC targeting a matchup between Khamzat Chimaev and former two-time welterweight title challenger Colby Covington.
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In October, 'Borz' even teased fans with the possibility of the fight by uploading a fanmade poster featuring him and 'Chaos', further churning the rumor mill.
Joe Rogan believes that Khamzat Chimaev sorely requires a "legitimate weight-cut specialist"
Khamzat Chimaev missed weight by a mile for his originally scheduled UFC 279 welterweight clash with Nate Diaz. In the aftermath of the weight miss, the pay-per-view card had to be completely reworked to avoid major fight cancelations.
Chimaev eventually ended up fighting Kevin Holland at UFC 279 at catchweight (180 lbs).
During episode #130 of the JRE MMA show, Rogan told American filmmaker Will Harris that the Chechen should use the services of a weight-cutting specialist to avoid similar issues in the future:
"I think he should get with a legitimate weight-cut specialist. I don't know who he had with him, but he needs someone with him in camp 24x7. Someone who is with him through the entire process. Someone who makes sure before he even enters camp that he is close... [Right now] He is draining himself."
Watch Joe Rogan talk about Khamzat Chimaev's weight-cutting issues below:
The 55-year-old commentator added that the UFC should introduce more weight classes and make athletes fight at their natural weight.
Watch the full podcast below: