Khamzat Chimaev's coach reveals potential weight class and ideal opponent for his next fight
Khamzat Chimaev's head coach Andreas Michael has addressed the potential weight class that his star pupil's next fight could be contested at. Additionally, the Allstars Training Center representative also revealed the ideal opponent for 'Borz's return.
Chimaev solidified himself as a UFC welterweight title contender by defeating former welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns via unanimous decision in April 2022. However, the Chechen-born Swede missed weight for his scheduled welterweight bout against Nate Diaz at UFC 279 in September 2022.
Resultantly, 'Borz' was booked against Kevin Holland in a 180-pound catchweight bout instead at UFC 279. The catchweight matchup witnessed the grappling savant dominantly beat Holland via first-round submission.
Owing to Chimaev's weight debacle, there's been speculation that he might move up to middleweight next. The undefeated MMA star has competed at both welterweight and middleweight in the UFC.
In his latest interview with Submission Radio, Andreas Michael suggested that Khamzat Chimaev will likely fight at middleweight next, ideally against reigning UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira, provided Pereira is still the champion when their fight transpires.
Nevertheless, he highlighted that 'Borz' could return to welterweight if offered a title shot in that division. Michael stated (*Transcription courtesy: MMA Junkie):
"It’s middleweight... He’s going to fight at middleweight. But if the title comes at welterweight, miracles can happen – and they will happen. We will get him down, don’t worry."
Furthermore, Andreas Michael opined that Khamzat Chimaev deserves a UFC middleweight title shot or at least a No. 1 contender's fight against a top-tier UFC middleweight:
"We want the No. 1 contender or the champ – preferably the champ. And I think he’s earned it."
Watch Michael's interview below:
Khamzat Chimaev provides a potential timeline for his return
Presently, Khamzat Chimaev holds the No. 3 spot in the official UFC welterweight rankings and isn't ranked at middleweight. Following his spectacular victory over Kevin Holland last September, the 28-year-old has called out several fighters, including former interim UFC welterweight champion Colby Covington and former UFC middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa.
Regardless, Khamzat Chimaev has recently been lobbying for a possible showdown against former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker at middleweight. 'Borz's next fight and exact comeback date haven't been officially announced by the UFC yet. That said, in a recent Instagram post, he seemingly unraveled his potential comeback timeline.
Chimaev insinuated that his next fight will transpire after Ramadan, which is the annual Islamic holy month of fasting and religious festivities. Ramadan 2023 is expected to run from March 22 to April 22, although dates might slightly vary depending on the region where it's celebrated. Chimaev wrote:
“We’ll be back after Ramadan Insha’Allah ☝🏼”