LAS VEGAS – Khamzat Chimaev may promise to “smash everybody,” but there is at least one UFC peer he has a lot of respect for, and does not wish to face in the octagon.
Chimaev (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) dominated at UFC 279, making quick work of Kevin Holland in the co-main event of the pay-per-view event at T-Mobile Arena. Although he took care of business in the cage, Chimaev did not on the scale, missing weight by 7.5 pounds on Friday. His miss led to a shuffling of opponents just hours before the card. Chimaev was originally set to face Nate Diaz in the main event.
The new opponent was no problem for Chimaev, but following his latest display of dominance, questions arose about his fighting future, and which weight class he would compete in next time. So far in his UFC career, he has competed twice in the middleweight division, and three times at welterweight before Saturday’s catchweight bout.
