Israel Adesanya has welcomed the "unique challenge" of Khamzat Chimaev - but has expressed his doubt over the fight taking place.
Adesanya currently holds the UFC middleweight title and so a fight against Chimaev is unlikely as the Chechen looks set to stay at welterweight for a pencilled-in clash against former champion Kamaru Usman, despite missing weight by 7.5lb for his last fight at the weight class. Chimaev has fought at middleweight twice in the UFC and is open to switching between weight classes.
'The Last Stylebender' is expected to defend his middleweight belt against the winner of Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis' upcoming fight at UFC 290. Chimaev has insisted he is the only worthy contender for Adesanya's belt but the Nigerian-born Kiwi has insisted he is not thinking about a fight against 'Borz' at the minute.