UFC Vegas 11: Verbal brawl between Khamzat Chimaev and Gerald Meerschaert continues

UFC Vegas 11: Verbal brawl between Khamzat Chimaev and Gerald Meerschaert continues

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Khmazat Chimaev(left) and Gerald Meerschaert (right)

Khamzat Chimaev questioned Gerald Meerschaert about his jiu-jitsu credentials in a heated dispute during recent UFC news conference ahead of their middleweight clash at the UFC Vegas 11. 

This isn’t the first time the two have disputed in the lead-up to their bout, as they had a brief run-in earlier at the host hotel. It all started with Meerschaert taking offense to Chimaev looking past him and planning bouts for the near future, banking on getting another victory in his next fight. 

Khamzat Cimaev and Gerald Meerschaert verbal brawl over jiu-jitsu 

YouTube video

“If you choke me out, I’ll find a black belt and give it to you – how about that?” Meerschart said. 

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The UFC middleweight veteran brushed off a threat from Chimaev in the hallway of the host hotel earlier this week, but was forced to address him directly during the UFC Vegas 11 media day on Wednesday in Las Vegas. Chimaev was on the offense from the outset, teasing Meerschaert about his previous losses and black belt status. 

“You lose your fights,” Chimaev interjected during Meerschaert’s first question. “You are like friend of Conor. What is his name? Lobov. How many times you lose your fights?” 

“Oh, I’ve lost quite a few fights,” Meerschaert said. “I’m 31-13.” 

“You think you’re a black belt?” Chimaev said. “Jack Hermansson, he doesn’t have a black belt. Why did he choke you out?” 

“Sometimes you lose when you fight tough guys, man,” Meerschaert said. 

Another statement of Chimaev

Chimaev got a smile and laugh out of Cerrone, whom he’s also said he could smash while also expressing respect for the veteran. Meerschaert is not the opponent he wanted to fight, he said, but he would do his work and move on to the next challenge. He’s already penciled in to face welterweight Demian Maia in his next bout. 

Meerschaert is tied at five with Antonio Carlos Junior and Maia for the most submissions in the middleweight division. Chimaev, though, is not impressed. 

“Train harder, not talk,” he said. “‘I am jiu-jitsu, I am better.’ What the f*ck.” 

“I am tied for the most submissions in the middleweight division,” Meerschaert replied. “So yeah, I think I deserve that black belt.” 

Also Read: “I’m going to smash your face, chicken” Khamzat Chimaev and Gerald…