Khamzat Chimaev shares his condition to move down to UFC welterweight division: "I've beat everyone"
Khamzat Chimaev has spent the majority of his mixed martial arts career, including most of his time in the UFC, competing in the welterweight division. While he left the division after missing weight at UFC 279, the No.13-ranked middleweight recently revealed the one condition that could get him to return to the 170-pound weight class.
Speaking to Kevin Iole ahead of his first opportunity to face a ranked middleweight opponent, 'Borz' was asked if he has any plans to ever compete at welterweight again. He responded by saying:
"If they give [me a fight] for the title, yes. Why not? I mean, I beat everyone there so just give me the title [shot] then I'll go down there."
When asked if he can get an immediate title shot at welterweight, Chimaev responded:
"I don't know. They have different plans everyday so we will see what they will give to me."
Check out Khamzat Chimaev's comments below (4:13):
Chimaev revealed that he is still planning to become the first three-division champion in UFC history. He has wins over ranked welterweights Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman, however, the latter came at middleweight.
Khamzat Chimaev praises Kamaru Usman following UFC 294 clash
Khamzat Chimaev picked up the biggest win of his mixed martial arts career when he defeated Kamaru Usman via majority decision at UFC 294 last October. While that marked his last trip to the octagon, he is set to make his return when he faces Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 this weekend.
'Borz' recently praised 'The Nigerian Nightmare' during a recent interview with Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports, stating:
"Kamaru is one of the best guys who I've faced. He's been No.1 pound-for-pound... People forget who was Kamaru Usman. When I beat him, everyone was talking about he's not that good and this that, but that guy is crazy good, man. If I take somebody's back like I took his - he has a champion's mindset. He didn't give [up]. He had five minutes where he defended his neck, but this is not that easy."
Check out Khamzat Chimaev's comments on Kamaru Usman below (4:15):