Khamzat Chimaev has called out three of the UFC's biggest stars in Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal for his next fight.
Rising star Chimaev, 28, has captured the attention of fight fans ever since his UFC debut two years ago. The Chechen was given his toughest test to date in Gilbert Burns last month, outpointing the Brazilian in a Fight of the Year contender.
Eager to book his next fight after his recent win, No.3 ranked welterweight Chimaev has posted a picture on Twitter of him, McGregor, Diaz and Masvidal. The cartoon sketch shows three of the fighters aiming gun fingers at each other whilst Diaz stands with his arms crossed.
Chimaev has traded words with McGregor and Diaz in the past, but not Masvidal. The Chechnya native claimed he once flew to Ireland to confront McGregor for his actions in the lead-up to his 2018 grudge fight with now-retired UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Insulted by McGregor's words about Russia, Chimaev got as far as the airport before he was locked up for eight hours and sent back home. Chimaev has also credited McGregor's featherweight title win against Jose Aldo as the reason he started training MMA.
Leaked matchups from the UFC's HQ recently showed that Chimaev was pencilled in to fight Diaz at UFC 276 on July 2. The fight, which was never announced as official, is now dead and buried and Diaz blamed it falling through on Chimaev recently getting married.
The American posted: "He had visa issues, overweight and now his b**** a** is off getting married instead of fighting wtf? I’m trying to get a fight with a real fighter asap/July." Chimaev laughed off Diaz's claim by replying: "You are funny, are you high? It seems like you've been smoking."
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Chimaev has been warned by his old foe Burns not to go down the same path as McGregor and instead stay concentrated on fighting. McGregor's form in the UFC has dipped in recent years as he only has one win in his last four fights.
"If [Chimaev] continues on a good path, it's because there are many variables. Imagine the best guy in this scenario, with the guy doing the right job, training and focused. That guy will get better," Burns told Canal Encrada.
"There's also the Conor McGregor effect happening to him, when the guy suddenly blows up with lots of followers, sponsorship and money. That will have an effect too and the guy will kind of go the other way. Just like I've seen it already kind of happening."
