Khamzat Chimaev is dismissing the criticism he acquired after lacking weight for UFC 279 this previous Saturday.
Initially scheduled to battle Nate Diaz, Chimaev weighed in seven-and-a-half kilos over the restrict, which pressured a reshuffling of the ultimate bouts atop the pay-per-view occasion on 24 hours’ discover. His response — shrugging his shoulders and giving the center finger — led to intense backlash, and for the primary time since becoming a member of the UFC, ‘Borz’ was booed closely. And he couldn’t care much less.
“You care about that s—t? I don’t care,” mentioned Chimaev throughout his post-fight press convention (video offered by MMA Combating). “I care about my household. I care about my profession. I care about my cash. So, what now? The individuals don’t go away me. At some point they’re with me, sooner or later they’re not with me.
“So, I’m actual, guys,” continued Chimaev. “I like individuals which are actual. Not faux individuals going a method or going the opposite method.”
The boos had little to no impact, and Chimaev went on to steamroll Kevin Holland, getting him to the bottom and submitting him with a D’arce choke within the first spherical. The undefeated fighter then delivered a scathing post-fight interview, riling up the group earlier than answering questions from UFC shade commentator Joe Rogan.
Considered one of them was relating to his weight miss and what it meant for him since he intends on competing at welterweight and middleweight. Chimaev squashed any concern and doubled down at his post-fight press convention, insisting he can — and can — hit 170 kilos when essential.
“After all, I did that earlier than, why not?,” mentioned Chimaev. “We’ll see, I’ve to return and hearken to my coach. If he says 170, we go 170. If he says heavyweight, we go to heavyweight. So I don’t care.
“I’ll do my coaching camp, prepare onerous and by no means cease,” continued Chimaev. “After tomorrow, I’m going again and instantly going to the fitness center. I’ve nothing to do, solely fitness center. It’s my life.”
Although Chimaev nonetheless expects to battle at welterweight, UFC president Dana White needs him to think about a transfer as much as middleweight.
“It’s an issue,” mentioned White. “That’s an issue that he missed weight. I don’t know. We’ve acquired to have a look at it and determine it out. What is sensible is for him to battle at [185 pounds], so we’ll see.”
