08 June 2023 , 11:42
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Israel Adesanya has welcomed the "unique challenge" of Khamzat Chimaev - but has expressed his doubt over the fight taking place.
Adesanya currently holds the UFC middleweight title and so a fight against Chimaev is unlikely as the Chechen looks set to stay at welterweight for a pencilled-in clash against former champion Kamaru Usman, despite missing weight by 7.5lb for his last fight at the weight class. Chimaev has fought at middleweight twice in the UFC and is open to switching between weight classes.
'The Last Stylebender' is expected to defend his middleweight belt against the winner of Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis' upcoming fight at UFC 290. Chimaev has insisted he is the only worthy contender for Adesanya's belt but the Nigerian-born Kiwi has insisted he is not thinking about a fight against 'Borz' at the minute.
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“Trust me, I’m not scared of nobody on this f****ng planet. No one,” Adesanya said on Impaulsive. “Also guess what, I like a challenge. He presents something unique that... I’ve seen wrestlers before. It’s a big fight. That’s why I like it. Cheddar makes it better, but he’s got Kamaru Usman and after that is probably gonna go for the title [if he wins]. I’ve got bigger fish to fry. I’m gonna be there in July and see what’s up. Not with Rob, with Du Plessis.”
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UFC boss Dana White stated that Chimaev's next fight would take place at 185lb after his weight fiasco, but all signs pointing to a fight against Usman would suggest otherwise. Chimaev has detailed his plans to win belts in three weight classes, first starting with welterweight before moving up to middleweight and finally light-heavyweight.
Israel Adesanya doesn't think he will fight Khamzat Chimaev anytime soon (Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
The Chechen believes he is the only worthy contender for Adesanya's belt (Zuffa LLC)Chimaev thinks the UFC is protecting Adesanya by not matching the pair up to the fight, stating on his YouTube channel. “For Israel, there’s nobody there — only me. So if you spoke about money, if you ask the fans, they want to see me and Israel. I’m a bad matchup for him. Everyone knows he’s going to lose the title [if we fight]. That’s why they save that guy.
“You know they built him up. They don’t want to lose him that fast. [I’d] finish that guy without punches, and that’s why they’re scared. Then his story is dead. They don’t want to kill that guy. Maybe the guy makes money for them, but I still make money, as well, so I don’t know what’s going on.”