Khamzat Chimaev: ‘I’m gonna beat all top-10 guys and become champion’

UFC welterweight prospect, Khamzat ‘Borz’ Chimaev has set some notable goals for himself just three-fights deep into his Octagon run ahead of his return this weekend — with sights fixed on taking out each top-10 opponent at 170lbs, before scooping the promotion’s welterweight crown.

Undefeated in his professional career, Chimaev, an alum of Brave CF, is currently 3-0 under the Dana White-led, UFC banner. And makes his return to active competition for the first time in 13-months this weekend at UFC 267 — tackling the #11 ranked contender, Li Jingliang.

Last year saw a blistering start to UFC life for the Chechen-born finisher, which included record-setting stoppages over both John Philips and Rhys McKee — just 10-days apart, before making his North American debut in September.

Featuring on the main card of UFC Vegas 11 before the close of last year, Chimaev, a trainee of AllStars MMA, floored and stopped Roufusport grappler, Gerald Meerschaert in just 17-seconds with a hellacious first round knockout. 

Chimaev was then booked on three separate occasions to share the Octagon with the surging #3 ranked, Leon Edwards, until a positive COVID-19 test result on both sides of the equation, as well as lingering health issues for Chimaev, as a result, forced the shelving of each attempted matchup.

Set to return against the dangerous Jingliang this weekend on ‘Fight Island’ — Chimaev has laid out his blueprints for an eventual tilt at welterweight spoils, which involved a long run through each and every one of the top-10 contenders in the division.

“Of course, I will be happy if they (the UFC) give me someone like [Leon Edwards],” Khamzat Chimaev told assembled media. “But I think if he wins this fight (against Jorge Masvidal) he’s supposed to fight for the title. How many win streak now? 10, 9? I respect that. I win this fight, win also one, two, three more fights before the title. I don’t want to jump up [beyond] the guys and have people talk like, ‘This is disrespect,’ I don’t like this talk.“

“I want to show who I am,” Chimaev said. “I’m gonna beat all the guys in the top-10, 10 fighters, and I’m gonna become champion.” (Transcribed by MMA Fighting)

In regards to the welterweight title, the undisputed crown is up for grabs next weekend at UFC 268 — with reigning division best, Kamaru Usman attempting to secure his fifth successful title defense in a championship rematch against former interim gold holder, Colby Covington. 

Ross Markey

Senior writer for FightBook MMA. An aspiring mixed martial arts reporter based in Ireland. Producer of news articles, interviews, opinion features, and exclusive features such as, ‘The Fallout’, ‘The Breakdown, and, ‘This Week In MMA’.