Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3095653/ufc-boss-dana-white-says-khamzat-chimaev-real Mixed Martial Arts
UFC boss Dana White says Khamzat Chimaev is the ‘real deal’, but won’t give him Conor McGregor
- White says UFC is trying to figure out another fight for Chimaev – ‘he wants to fight every weekend, and he’s not joking’
- ‘I love guys with that mentality … this guy’s a whole other level,’ adds UFC president
Khamzat Chimaev celebrates after his TKO victory over Rhys McKee in their welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island. Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via USA TODAY Sports
Khamzat Chimaev was one of the breakout stars on UFC Fight Island last month, bagging himself a record with a pair of statement victories in Abu Dhabi.
The Chechen-born Swede dominated Welsh veteran John Phillips and Northern Irish prospect Rhys McKee – a stand-out in British promotion Cage Warriors – for two TKOs in the space of 10 days, and was even keen to fight on this weekend’s UFC Fight Night card in Las Vegas.
“We’re trying to get him figured out right now – listen, this kid wants to fight every weekend and he’s not joking,” UFC president Dana White told reporters after Friday’s weigh-ins.
“Obviously in this climate that’s tough to do, but I love that s*** and I wanna do it. When this kid wants to fight I’m gonna make it happen. I love guys with that mentality. This guy’s the real deal.
“Do you guys realise the kid we matched him up with from the UK [McKee], that dude is a badass, he’s legit? Don’t let the way the fight played out fool you. That kid was very good and he [Chimaev] made him look not very good. This guy’s at a whole other level. This dude is real.”
The 26-year-old Chimaev has drawn comparisons to UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov for his mauling, smothering style, and shares a manager with the Russian in Ali Abdelaziz.
He’s also gone after Nurmagomedov’s nemesis Conor McGregor on social media – but White isn’t willing to give the new welterweight star his wish, despite the former two division champion writing “I accept” on Twitter. And nor did he confirm if “Borz” will got a ranked opponent next.
“That was Khamzat,” White said of McGregor’s tweet. “He posted, ‘I want Nate Diaz, [Jorge] Masvidal or McGregor’, and McGregor said, ‘I accept’, that’s what that was.
“No, listen, Conor’s retired, and Conor’s move right now is to sit back, see how this year plays out and see what’s next for him,” added White. “You know he wants the Khabib fight, that happens October 24 [vs Justin Gaethje].”