Marvin Vettori is solely focused on Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 46 main event against Jared Cannonier, but Khamzat Chimaev remains firmly on his radar.
Vettori (19-6-1 MMA, 9-4-1 UFC) meets Cannonier (16-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) in a high-stakes middleweight clash at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, which airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN2 an ESPN+. If he wins, Vettori will turn attention toward another title shot.
But with champion Israel Adesanya likely to face the winner of July’s UFC 290 matchup between Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis next, that could mean another fight for Vettori to secure his position.
If that turns out to be the case, Vettori said he would gladly welcome the highly touted Chimaev (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) to the top tier of the 185-pound division.
“I always welcome him,” Vettori told reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 46 media day “Everywhere. Yeah, sure. If he wants it, I’m here. I’ve never turned down any fight. I’ve never pulled out of any fight. So please, yeah, bring him too.”
Chimaev hasn’t competed since September, when he defeated Kevin Holland with a quick submission in the co-main event of UFC 279. He’s said he’s ready, willing and waiting to get back in the octagon, but hasn’t been booked and may not fight again until UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi in October.
Chimaev was briefly linked to a matchup with former longtime welterweight champ Kamaru Usman next, but UFC president Dana White recently stated that bout will not be happening.
That leaves Chimaev without a clear opponent, and Vettori could be an appropriate fit if he wins this weekend.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 46.
