Latest

Khamzat Chimaev’s manager says Alex Pereira ‘more preferable’ matchup than Leon Edwards

Published

January 10, 2023

What’s next for UFC star Khamzat Chimaev?

That’s a question that Frontkick is constantly being asked by fans from all over the world.

As “Borz” looks to be ready for a new fight sooner rather than later, speculations are running wild. So we decided to ask his manager Majdi Shammas about the latest updates, as we caught up with him in an exclusive sit down interview at the brand-new state of the art Allstars Training Center facility in Solna Business Park in Stockholm, Sweden.

“We’re going to sit and have a meeting with the guys and the UFC to discuss what’s next,” Shammas told Frontkick. “Of course, there are a lot of possibilities. Lots of options. We’re aiming for a lot of things. Basically, the title is of course the main thing for Khamzat now. I think he’s done enough to get a title shot.”

Will Khamzat Chimaev fight at welterweight or middleweight?

Since his UFC debut back in 2020, Khamzat Chimaev have been bouncing between middleweight and welterweight. A title run in the 170 pounds division have been his primary focus though, and he’s currently ranked at No. 3 in the world in that weight class.

However, after having missed weight ahead of his planned fight against Nate Diaz fight in September, which subsequently caused a shuffle of opponents at UFC 279 resulting in Chimaev facing Kevin Holland in a cachweight bout instead, many have wondered if “Borz” might leave the welterweight days behind him and make a permanent move to middleweight going forward.

Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev. Photo by Johnathon “SWEEP” Michael

According to Shammas, a decision regarding weight divisions is yet to be made, although he implied that he believes Chimaev should be getting a title shot right away in order for him to stick around at welterweight.

“That is something that we’re going to have to see when he comes back and starts training. (Chimaev hadn’t returned to Sweden from Chechnya yet when this interview was recorded, editor’s note). He started to lose a little bit of weight when we were in Dubai training, I don’t know if he put any weight back on now when he went back to his country, but we’ll see. We don’t know. It depends. If we get a title fight, then we’re going to do welterweight. If not …” Shammas said.

Khamzat Chimaev in top position would be ‘horrifying’ for Alex Pereira, says manager

So what about the reigning champions? Khamzat Chimaev has previously been booked to face Leon Edwards, before “Rocky” managed to claim the welterweight strap with his unbelievable comeback against former title holder Kamaru Usman. Edwards is known to have a well-rounded skillset and would definitely present an interesting challenge for Chimaev.

As for middleweight, the newly-crowned champ Alex Pereira is a decorated kickboxing champion – but much less experienced in MMA, especially in the wrestling department.

“Leon Edwards is a much more complete fighter,” Shammas said. “Much more. Much more accomplished. Striking, wrestling – everything. He’s a very well-rounded fighter and one of the best fighters, in my opinion at least. And then Alex Pereira, what was a little bit scary was that you saw how Israel Adesanya could dominate him so easily on the ground. Only God knows what would happen if Khamzat was in those positions. That’d be horrifying for Pereira. So of course, Alex is a more preferable fight. But it doesn’t matter as long as he gets the title.”

The title shot has to happen this year, right?

“Yes.”

Welterweight champion Leon “Rocky” Edwards (to the left) and middleweight title holder Alex “Poatan” Pereira. Photo credit: USA TODAY Sports

“I think we’re going to have two or three champions from Sweden”

Majdi Shammas and the rest of the team over at Allstars Training Center have been working for years to create the first Swedish UFC champion. They’ve come incredibly close twice, with Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson losing razor-thin decisions in light heavyweight title fights against both Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier a few years back.

Now, it might finally be time for an Allstars fighter to go all the way as Khamzat Chimaev has entered the title picture in not just one, but two UFC weight classes.

“We’ve waited God knows how many years. I don’t even want to say it anymore. Yeah, we got something going on. We’re going to have a couple of champions I think. Within a span of five years, I think we’re going to have two or three champions from Sweden. This is what I believe at least,” Shammas said as we wrapped up the interview.

Check out the full interview with Majdi Shammas in the video above!

Subscribe to Frontkick’s YouTube channel for more exclusive content!