Khamzat Chimaev eyes middleweight title at UFC 319

Dagestan combatant Khamzat Chimaev, who has competed nether the Swedish emblem for immoderate time, remains calm and determined up of the large combat astatine UFC 319 successful Chicago. His existent ngo is to triumph the middleweight belt, though galore speculate astir his aboriginal plans astatine welterweight.

Chimaev (14-0) volition situation champion Dricus Du Plessis (23-2) successful the main lawsuit astatine the United Center connected Saturday. If helium wins, helium could go the 15th combatant successful UFC past to triumph the loop portion inactive undefeated. He is besides presently the bookmaker's favorite, which is uncommon for a challenger, but Chimaev remains humble and focused.

– “I don’t cognize however the combat volition go. We’ll spot successful the cage. It’s excessively aboriginal to deliberation astir those things. When I spot his face, it’s different,” said Khamzat Chimaev astatine the media day.

Although helium antecedently fought astatine welterweight and had occupation making the weigh-ins, Chimaev says he’s not reasoning astir attacking the loop successful different value people for now. His absorption is wholly connected Du Plessis.

– “After the combat we’ll spot what happens. We request to absorption connected this feline archetypal and past we’ll see,” added the 28-year-old fighter.

Brutal first-round choke

Khamzat earned his rubric changeable with a brutal first-round choke to the cervix against erstwhile champion Robert Whittaker 10 months ago. His triumph implicit erstwhile welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is besides considered 1 of his toughest challenges yet.

Current champion Du Plessis, a 31-year-old veteran, is seeking a 3rd defence of his belt. He antecedently defeated erstwhile champions Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland by submission successful rematches. His past nonaccomplishment came astir 7 years ago, erstwhile helium was defeated by Roberto Soldić.

Saturday’s combat frankincense appears to beryllium important for some fighters – for Khamzat a accidental astatine a historical title, and for Du Plessis a trial of his longevity and quality to clasp onto the middleweight belt.