Khamzat Chimaev simply gave Conor McGregor a actuality examine.
Forward of Chimaev’s middleweight title protection this Saturday in the primary occasion of UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey, McGregor cryptically tweeted that Chimaev and challenger Sean Strickland have been preventing “for my 185-pound title.” McGregor beforehand held titles at 155 and 145 kilos and has fought as much as 170 kilos within the UFC, however he has by no means fought at middleweight. He has additionally not been seen within the Octagon since July 2021.
Chimaev was requested in regards to the unusual remark at UFC 328 media day on Wednesday.
“What about his belt?” Chimaev mentioned. “I do not know as a result of he misplaced the belt 10 years in the past, however is that this man a little bit drunk or is it applicable to be consuming on a regular basis? Let’s get again to regular and work and struggle.
“I do not care, boxing. I advised the individuals at Zuffa Boxing that I contemplate myself only a wrestler, I needn’t simply field, I am an MMA fighter. If I will field, I will present my boxing too.”
McGregor participated in his solely skilled boxing match in August 2017, preventing undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. for 10 rounds earlier than succumbing to a flurry of punches. The UFC stripped McGregor of his light-weight title in 2018 as a consequence of his inactivity. He’s presently awaiting official reserving for his return struggle.
Chimaev isn’t any stranger to altering weight courses, beginning his UFC profession at middleweight and competing primarily at 170 kilos earlier than transferring again as much as 185 kilos and turning into champion with a dominant determination win over Drikas du Plessis at UFC 319 in August of this 12 months. He has talked about the potential of transferring as much as mild heavyweight a number of occasions and is open to transferring as much as heavyweight as nicely.
“After all, for certain,” Chimaev mentioned. “I’ve all the time educated with heavyweight fighters. I have been coaching with Alexander Gustafsson, Jimi Manuwa and Gokhan Saki more often than not because the starting of my profession, however I have been preventing at 170. I’ve educated with them, I’ve sparred with them, and I’ve by no means had a weight drawback. I wish to eat and I wish to have enjoyable within the cage.”
As for fighters transferring as much as middleweight to problem for the title, Chimaev has excessive reward for his good friend and No. 1 light-weight contender Arman Tsarukyan, who believes he can deal with Strickland as simply as he plans on Saturday evening.
“Sure, after all he can beat him now,” Chimaev mentioned of Tsarukyan.
