Khamzat Chimaev has a message for all those questioning his opposition in the UFC so far.
Chimaev (10-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has been touted as a future champion by many after dominating his first four UFC fights, but some havenât been sold on his level of competition so far.
The unbeaten 27-year-old, whoâs finished all his professional wins, is coming off a first-round submission of Li Jingliang this past October at UFC 267. Prior to that, Chimaev ran through John Phillips, Rhys McKee and Gerald Meerschaert. However, the most notable stat in Chimaevâs dominant UFC run is that heâs only absorbed one significant strike â something he says not even former light heavyweight king Jon Jones was able to do.
âWho (went) in the cage: 10 fights, 10 finishes?â Chimaev said on Block Accessâ âSmesh Brosâ VLOG (h/t The Mac Life). âThe guys tell like, âOh, he didnât fight this guy, he didnât fight that guy.â But the guys whoâs the best guys â Jon Jones: His first four fights in UFC, he get the punch. I didnât get the punch. We donât say: (Jonesâ) first fights, he didnât get the best ones â the guys, you know, like, super good guys. Nobody. Conor (McGregor) didnât get that â crazy good guys in his first fights. Nobody. Khabib (Nurmagomedov) didnât get crazy good guys. I just need the time.â
Chimaev will be taking a big leap in competition when he faces former title challenger Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 on April 9 in a fight that is being dubbed as a No. 1 contender bout by UFC president Dana White.
Jon Jones showed up to his first four fights in the UFC.
Khumshat hasnât.
Flawless
Lol. But but it was covid bro and his visa! Thatâs not his fault. Everyone is ducking him - merridrew