Khamzat talks payday and being a fan of Diaz: “Warriors always respect warriors”

Khamzat Chimaev will face Nate Diaz on Saturday’s UFC 279 in Las Vegas. Photo: Johnathon Michael – Frontkick

Five years ago, Khamzat Chimaev still fought as an amatuer, but on Saturday he will headline one of the most talked about UFC events of the year. Even though the rising star will go for Nate Diaz head, he admits that he has always been a fan of his veteran opponent.

“I am a fan, if you’re not a fan, what are you doing here?” Chimaev Chimaev said in a new interview with ESPN. “I think the guys who say, ‘I don’t like nobody’ are liars. You look up to somebody. You have to look up to somebody. If you play tennis, you’re going to look up to the best players. This guys been at the top all his life. I look up to him and other guys, watch the fights and learn something. Have fun. I like the guy. He’s a tough guy. I have respect for tough guys. He’s a warrior, I’m a warrior. Warriors always respect warriors.”

However, even though “Borz” likes Diaz’s style, he admits he doesn’t understand much of what the Stockton fighter is saying.

“Actually, when he speaks, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t understand so much. I don’t think the guy’s talking good English,” Chimaev said. “He smokes too much, so that’s why his English is a bit different. My English is not perfect as well.”

Read more: Georges St-Pierre opens up on Khamzat’s chances of becoming a UFC champion

Khamzat: “Never made that much money in my whole career”

To headline the UFC 279 card will give more money than his eleven professional fights combined.

“I never made that much money in my whole career, or my life,” Khamzat said. “I don’t have some plans for that. Now, my plan is to go take his head, you know. We will see afterwards when I get that money what happens.”

“Everyone loves the money, you know, we need the money because for family, for somebody, for doing things.”

Read more: UFC stars and experts predicts Khamzat vs. Diaz: “Going to be uncomfortable to watch!”

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