Report: Khamzat Chimaev targeted to meet Demian Maia at UFC Fight Island event in October

Chimaev, who jets into Las Vegas, Nevada next Monday – is also hoping to feature on a UFC Fight Night event this month before he tackles Maia, with a pairing at middleweight opposite Roufusport mainstay, Gerald Meerschaert also in the works for a UFC Fight Night Vegas 11 event on September 19th.

In what will mark his third and fourth Octagon appearances since his staggering debut in July – the Chencen born grappling threat will look to both Meerschaert and Maia to previous finishes of both John Phillips, and former Cage Warriors staple, Rhys McKee.

For Maia, the veteran São Paulo native seen his three-fight rise halted by future welterweight title challenger, Gilbert ‘Durinho’ Burns in March – dropping a first-round knockout at UFC Fight Night Brasília. UFC president, Dana White confirmed the promotion’s intentions to book Chimaev opposite Maia in October when speaking with The Mac Life reporter, Oscar Willis at a press-event earlier this afternoon. Combate reporter, Raphael Marinho was first to report the news of the earmarked matching of Chimaev and Meerschaert.

With just a mind-boggling ten day separating his successful outings opposite the aforenoted, Phillips, and McKee – Swedish based prospect, Chimaev certainly isn’t wasting any time getting immersed in his new Octagon surrondings. With his D’Arce win over Phillips and ground-and-pound stopping of McKee, the 26-year-old improved to 8-0 professionally.

Prior to his loss to compatriot and number-one contender, Burns – Maia has notched notables wins over both Lyman Good and Anthony Rocco Martin, before his October submission over former ONE Championship titleholder, Ben Askren in Kallang, Singapore.

Maia has twice competed for undisputed Octagon gold, first opposite fellow Brazilian, Anderson Silva at middleweight, before a welterweight challenge against Tyron Woodley.