Khamzat Chimaev Is Open To Fighting Alex Pereira

Khamzat Chimaev is open to moving up to light heavyweight to face Alex Pereira.

Chimaev takes on Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 this weekend. It is his first fight in just over a year since he beat the former middleweight champion, Kamaru Usman. Chimaev is undefeated, making him one of the top-ranked opponents in the weight class.

Chimaev has fought at welterweight and middleweight, and he has his eyes on a title fight. Dricus Du Plessis currently holds the middleweight belt. Dana White has said that Sean Strickland will face Du Plessis next. This means that Chimaev would have to wait for his chance.

If Chimaev beats Whittaker and cleans up the middleweight division, then Pereira could be next. Pereira is a two-weight UFC champion, having won belts at middleweight and light heavyweight, making him one of the best P4P fighters. Pereira was the target moving forward.

Khamzat Chimaev says that Alex Pereira is a good matchup for him, but recognizes the threat of a potential knockout:

“I’ve always been open for [a fight against Alex]. I know stylistically this match for me is much easier than other guys.

But in striking, I’m honest. I know the… pic.twitter.com/FwBqot07U5

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 23, 2024

“Of course, I’ve been always open for that [fight against Pereira]. I know that stylistically, this match for me [is] much easier than other guys. But in striking, I’m honest, I know the guy can knock me out…The guy is [a] good striker, one of the best guys with hardest punches. But I’m one of the best grappler, best wrestler, he’s not that,” Chimaev said 

Reaction

If pereira can survive two rounds of khamzats grappling he wins that fight by ko lmao

— 39babyy (@BabyBaudalaire) October 24, 2024

Chimaev knows the risk but respects Pereira’s power!

— EchoNexus (@EchoNexusX) October 23, 2024

Khamzat would get absolutely slept

— sleepysign 😴🫘👾 (@sleepyxsign) October 23, 2024