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UFC superstars Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz and a group of other top-shelf fighters were again challenged this week by rising phenom Khamzat Chimaev. The 26-year-old revealed his stunning intention of facing and beating the best fighters in the sport to TMZ Sports on Wednesday.
“My dream is title, but I can fight with everybody,” Chimaev said. “Demian Maia, Jorge Masvidal, Diaz brothers, Conor McGregor, everybody, everybody, I can smash everybody. Doesn’t matter.”
Chimaev hasn’t yet achieved the kind of fame that would lend itself to booking superfights against the likes of McGregor, Diaz or Masvidal next. But with reports surfacing that he’s going to start headlining UFC events in his next fight, Chimaev is on his way there.
Chimaev ‘100%’ Ready for Champs
Chimaev told TMZ Sports that he believes he’s “100%” ready to face UFC champions right now.
TMZ Sports asked the 9-0 UFC welterweight and middleweight prospect whether he would be down to face either the UFC’s 170-pound champ Kamaru Usman next or its 185-pound champ Israel Adesanya if either of the titleholders needed a late-notice dance partner for their upcoming title bouts in Abu Dhabi.
Chimaev said he would be happy to fight either champion for a chance to capture UFC gold.
Heck, Chimaev said he would fight Adesanya’s opponent Paulo Costa this weekend if the UFC needed it.
“Yes, 100%, I’m ready,” Chimaev said. “Of course, 100%, for the title, I’m always ready. I would be so happy to be given the chance to jump in there. 100% gonna take this.”
Chimaev vs. McGregor?
Moreover, Chimaev seems to be keeping his eye on McGregor, which makes sense because the Irishman remains the biggest MMA superstar in the world today.
“People talk about him, Khabib smashed him, brother,” Chimaev said. “Already, everybody knows what I’m about. [Conor’s] not on my level. Khabib showed that to everybody.”
So Chimaev predicted complete dominance of the former UFC “champ champ” if the two ever meet inside the UFC’s Octagon in a future superfight.
That fight isn’t likely to happen anytime soon, but Chimaev already believes he’s ready for it.
Chimaev is so confident that he used his social media account to call McGregor out again on Thursday.
“I want to smash the burger king guy easy money,” Chimaev posted.
McGregor appeared in an advertisement for the company back in 2018.
Chimaev Continues Hectic Call Out Schedule
Chimaev has been calling out everyone since he entered the UFC over the summer.
Once again, Chimaev was quick to share some seriously strong words about potential future opponents. He’s relatively inexperienced by UFC standards but has quickly proved to be one of the most terrifyingly talented UFC stars making his way up the ranks.
It might be wild to hear him call out the likes of McGregor, the Diaz Brothers, Masvidal and other big stars right now, but someday soon he could absolutely be sharing the cage with any or all of them.
On top of that, the way he’s been running through the competition suggests me might someday be defeating them.
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