Tim Welch sees a five-round fight heavily benefitting Jared Cannonier over Khamzat Chimaev.
Cannonier (17-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC) set the single-fight record for most significant strikes landed in a UFC middleweight bout when he defeated Marvin Vettori this past Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Welch, who is the head coach of Sean O’Malley, was very impressed with Cannonier’s performance.
“Dude, him breaking the record, that much output from a big guy like that is f*cking next level,” Welch said of Cannonier’s performance against Vettori on his Timbo Sugar Show podcast.
After his win, “The Killa Gorilla” was asked if he’d entertain a fight with Chimaev, who teased his next fight at 185 pounds.
“I’m trying to get to the title,” Cannonier said. “I’m not fighting to just try and entertain you people. I know you guys want to see it. It will be a good fight. If that fight gets me the title shot, then yes. But I’m not looking back. I just beat No. 3. I’m looking at the champion.”
If the matchup were to materialize, Welch sees Cannonier winning – especially if it’s a 25-minute fight.
“That much output, five rounds?” Welch added. “I mean, who does he go against next? Someone was asking him about Khamzat at the post-fight conference, and he was like, ‘Does that get me the title shot?’ He wants whatever’s going to give him the title shot. But that would be sick. I think, five rounds, Jared f*cks him up. But Khamzat is not even in the rankings.”
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