Khamzat Chimaev has suggested that the delay in his return to the octagon is not due to any fault of his own.
Chimaev, who boasts a 12-0 MMA record and a 6-0 UFC record, has not fought since his swift submission victory over Kevin Holland in a 180-pound catchweight bout at UFC 279 in September of last year.
Recently, in an interview with TSN, UFC President Dana White cited personal issues as the reason why Chimaev has yet to be booked for a fight. However, Chimaev has taken to social media to refute White's explanation and clarify the situation.
“I have no problems with fights,” Chimaev wrote. “If they gave me a fight, I would have fought a long time ago, I did so many training camps and not one fight, the problem is definitely not with me, prepared in Dubai then to Thailand, why do I train so much if there is no fight, I don’t understand.”
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman recently expressed interest in facing Chimaev, but White turned the idea down – unless it’s at middleweight. However, Chimaev said the weight class he competes at next will be up to him.
“If I want to fight 77 if I want to fight 84 I decide,” he tweeted.
See Chimaev’s tweets below.
if I want to fight 77 if I want to fight 84 I decide 💯
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) May 8, 2023
I have no problems with fights, if they gave me a fight, I would have fought a long time ago, I did so many training camps and not one fight, the problem is definitely not with me, prepared in dubai then to thailand, why do I train so much if there is no fight, I don’t understand
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) May 8, 2023
Dana White's concern regarding Khamzat Chimaev stems from the fact that he missed the welterweight mark by a significant 7.5 pounds for his originally scheduled fight against Nate Diaz at UFC 279. This weight mismanagement forced a reshuffling of the card, leading to Chimaev fighting Kevin Holland in a catchweight bout instead.
However, regardless of whether his next fight is at welterweight or middleweight, Chimaev appears to be eager to take on any top contender or champion. He has specifically mentioned several high-profile names, including UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, as well as Leon Edwards, Belal Muhammad, Colby Covington, and Robert Whittaker.
Despite a star-making run in 2020 where Khamzat Chimaev finished three opponents in just three months, his career has been hampered by COVID-19 complications that have prevented him from fighting regularly. In fact, he has only fought three times in the past 19 months.
Compounding the issue, Chimaev was forced to withdraw from two bookings against Leon Edwards due to COVID-19 complications. A third booking was also spoiled by Edwards testing positive for the virus.
Chimaev, however, remains undaunted and has taken to Twitter to name his next potential opponents. The list includes UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards, middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, as well as Belal Muhammad, Colby Covington, and Robert Whittaker.
I can fight with everyone I don't care who @bullyb170 @USMAN84kg @stylebender @Leon_edwardsmma @ColbyCovMMA @robertwhittaker
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) May 8, 2023
Chimaev responded directly to a tweet from Edwards, who declared the that anyone at welterweight “is light work.”
you know who is the king 🐺💯
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) May 8, 2023
“You know who is the king,” Chimaev wrote to Edwards.