UFC Phenom Khamzat Chimaev sets eyes on the 185-pound division after weigh-in disaster at UFC 279

UFC Phenom Khamzat Chimaev sets eyes on the 185-pound division after weigh-in disaster at UFC 279

Khamzat Chimaev during UFC 279 ceremonial weigh-ins (IMAGO/Icon Sportswire)

Khamzat Chimaev is tired of having to go through hell every time he tries to make weight for his 170-pound matchups. The superstar is looking to take his talents to the middleweight division.

UFC 279 was a huge disaster for the rising contender Khamzat Chimaev. The Chechen was presented with his very first headliner event and the fighter fumbled his opportunity to headline a pay-per-view event alongside legendary superstar Nate Diaz.

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Khamzat missed weight by almost 8 pounds which forced the promotion to shuffle the entire main card to save the PPV event. Both Khamzat’s team and UFC President Dana White have hinted that the fighter will move to the middleweight division where he would have lesser trouble in making weight.

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In a recent tweet posted by the talented fighter, he hinted that the “185” division is his next destination. What this does to Khamzat’s welterweight title dreams is yet to be known. Chimaev has already fought in the middleweight division in his career. Check out Khamzat’s tweet below:

Read more: “Hard time without food” – Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev opened up on the tough times he faced in his childhood

Can Khamzat Chimaev find success in the middleweight division?

Khamzat Chimaev- Israel Adesanya
Khamzat Chimaev and Israel Adesanya

Khamzat Chimaev is no stranger to the middleweight division. In fact, the fighter’s first-ever bout in the UFC was against middleweight John Phillips. Chimaev has fought in the 185-pound weight class, twice in the UFC and has cruised past the bigger opponents with the same ease he has against welterweighters.

Also read: “That would be f**king good” – Michael Bisping reveals the PERFECT opponent for Chimaev’s next fight

Chimaev has previously called out the champion of the division, Israel Adesanya. Though fighting for the title won’t be an easy route for the Chechen, with the momentum he has going in his career right now, one win against any of the top contender could see him fighting for the 185-pound strap next.

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Paulo Costa is one of the most favorable matches for Khamzat given their recent beef. The two have gotten into heated exchanges during UFC 279 and the Brazilian would be delighted to welcome the Chechen fighter to the middleweight division.

Also read: “He needs to AVOID Costa,” Khamzat Chimaev’s rivalry with Paulo Costa can cost him welterweight title shot as per Michael Bisping