LAS VEGAS – Dana White has all but declared Khamzat Chimaev the No. 1 contender if he can emerge victorious at UFC 279.
Chimaev (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) meets Nate Diaz (20-13 MMA, 18-12 UFC) in the main event on Sept. 10 and with a win, the unbeaten star should secure a shot at the the welterweight title – particularly if champion Kamaru Usman successfully defends against Leon Edwards on Saturday at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City.
“It’s fair,” White told reporters, including MMA Junkie, on Tuesday night. “I don’t ever do that sh*t, but yeah, it’s fair to say if he wins, that’s the fight to make. (Usman has) already beat everybody twice in the top whatever, so yeah, that makes sense.”
