Khamzat Chimaev and newly crowned UFC champion Jiri Prochazka tried to kill each other during a previous sparring session.
Chimaev is becoming one of the UFC's most prominent names particularly in the welterweight division, after moving up to No.3 in the rankings with victory over Gilbert Burns. Meanwhile Prochazka defeated Glover Teixeira earlier this month to secure the light-heavyweight title at the first time of asking.
Chimaev's coach Alan Nascimento has claimed that Prochazka attended the Allstars Training Center in Sweden where the pair capitvated the other fighters with an intense workout. "He did his last camp before signing with the UFC here with us and there was a historical sparring [session] between him and Chimaev," Nascimento told Sherdog. "It happened here and they were both trying to kill each other. Everyone here in the gym always recalls that crazy sparring."
UFC contender Alexander Gustafsson has also been training with Chimaev in his Sweden gym, with British star Darren Till also working alongside the Chechen star. Chimaev has been involved in several high-profile sparring sessions since making his UFC rise including being tapped out by a Chechen leader.
Till even claimed that he had his "a** kicked" with the pair having formed a new working relationship while training together. "Lad, got my a*** kicked," Till told BlockAsset with his mouth visibly bloodied up after the session. "That's what it's all about though innit? Getting it done." He was also left with a bruised eye but vowed to give sparring revenge and inflict the same damage back to Chimaev in the future.
The Merseyside star's upcoming opponent Jack Hermansson has even got in on the action alongside Chimaev who is yet to have an opponent confirmed for his next outing. Chimaev was set to face Colby Covington after defeating Burns but a fight has yet to officially materialise despite Dana White confirming his plans.
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Leaked UFC match-ups from the UFC kingpin's 'war room' suggested that Chimaev could even step in with Nate Diaz next who is yet to find an opponent for the final outing on his contract. Chimaev stated his intent and agreed to the fight on social media but talks appear to be ongoing.
Chimaev has since called out a variety of different names including Conor McGregor and Belal Muhammad but is yet to confirm any official plan. Nascimento has revealed that Chimaev could fight at middleweight in October before stepping back down to his natural weight.
"Since he is currently weighing (210 pounds), I advised him to fight someone from middleweight in August, and then return to welterweight in October,” Nascimento continued. “Since [Derek] Brunson already defeated Darren Till, he liked that possibility, but everything will depend on the UFC’s decision. If the UFC gets Nate Diaz for August and Belal Muhammad for October, he will be ready. What he wants most is to stay active.”
