Connect with us

MMA

Khamzat Chimaev reacts to rumors of Sean Strickland vs. Nassourine Imavov 2: "Whoever wins, we'll take him"

Published

on

Khamzat Chimaev reacts to rumors of Sean Strickland vs. Nassourine Imavov 2: "Whoever wins, we'll take him"

Khamzat Chimaev won't complain if Nassourdine Imavov is next in line for a UFC middleweight title fight, but he's confident he'll get the gold back at some point.

When Chimaev insisted that he wanted an immediate rematch with Sean Strickland after losing the 185-pound hardware at UFC 328 back in May, some fans were caught off guard. Chimaev's comments were far different than what UFC CEO Dana White claimed during a chat with media members. White initially said that Chimaev told him he was done at middleweight and was ready to move up.

Fast forward to the end of summer, and “Borz†is now calling out other 185-pound contenders. Rumors of Strickland's next title fight being against Imavov have surfaced. Ushatayka posted a clip of Chimaev responding to the rumor, and he seems unbothered if it turns out to be correct.

“There's no surprise,†Chimaev said. “How long has Imavov been waiting now? He's already the contender. Whoever wins, we'll take him.â€

Chimaev's aforementioned defeat to Strickland was the first in his pro MMA career. It was a competitive five-round affair that was won by the slimmest of margins. Strickland was awarded the split decision to become a two-time UFC middleweight titleholder.

While Chimaev was initially insistent that a rematch with Strickland was the fight to make, he has suddenly changed course. “Borz†hopped on X and said that not only would he take a title rematch with Strickland, but he'd also throw down with Imavov, Caio Borralho, and he'd even accept a rematch with Dricus du Plessis.

If UFC plans to book Imavov against Strickland next, it'll be interesting to see who Chimaev will be matched up against. We'll have the latest details once they become available.

If Khamzat Chimaev does not get an immediate rematch with Sean Strickland, who would you book him against? Sound off in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

MMA

Michael ‘Venom’ Page says 3 Misfits fights will pay more than 6 in UFC

Published

on

Michael ‘Venom’ Page says 3 Misfits fights will pay more than 6 in UFC
Michael
“Venom” Page says his new deal will pay him more than he earned
during his
Ultimate Fighting Championship tenure.

Page had promised an exciting performance against Nursulton
Ruziboev in September, the final bout of his UFC contract. He
won by unanimous decision, but the promotion opted not to re-sign
him. The Englishman now says his move to Misfits Boxing will bring
a substantial increase in earnings.

Michael Page compares three-fight Misfits contract with
earnings from six UFC appearances

Page produced highlight-reel knockouts in Bellator,
but all six of his UFC appearances went the distance. He finished
5-1 in the promotion, with his only loss coming against Ian
Garry.

Page (26-3) said he received offers from several promotions before
signing with Misfits. He expects to earn more from the three-fight
agreement than he did from his six UFC bouts, describing his new
compensation as roughly double what he previously earned. He also
said Misfits intends to launch an MMA show with him as a leading
figure.

“Misfits came with an absolutely crazy deal, which means I’ve
continued to grow and get better financially,†Page told Ariel
Helwani. “They have vision for the future. They're trying to get an
MMA show going, with me kind of lead that way, be the face of that…
I’ve left the UFC and I’m making more money. Like two times more,
maybe just over, and in a shorter period. In a three-fight deal,
I’ll make more than I have my whole UFC contract.â€

Continue Reading

MMA

Alistair Overeem tells Rico Verhoeven to ‘stop hiding’, box him at Fury vs. Joshua card

Published

on

Alistair Overeem tells Rico Verhoeven to ‘stop hiding’, box him at Fury vs. Joshua card

Alistair Overeem wants to be part of the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua boxing card on Dec. 11, and he wants Rico Verhoeven standing across the squared circle.

Overeem shared a post on social media suggesting the bout after mentioning his interest in transitioning to boxing, and issued a callout on his Instagram stories.

“Stop hiding,†Overeem wrote. “Let's make history.â€

Fury vs. Joshua takes place at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, and airs live on Netfilx.

Verhoeven was part of a massive boxing show this past May in Egypt, where he lost via controversial 11th-round stoppage in his boxing debut against heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Prior to that match, Verhoeven remained undefeated in kickboxing for over a decade, reigning as the GLORY heavyweight champion. He was slated to face Overeem in 2021, but the MMA veteran withdrew due to an injury.

The former Strikeforce titleholder won four of his past six UFC bouts, all by knockout, between 2018 and 2021, including a first-round stoppage over Sergei Pavlovich. His UFC run also includes wins over former and future champions Fabricio Werdum, Frank Mir, Brock Lesnar, Junior dos Santos and Andrei Arlovski.

Watch more of Overeem's boxing journey below.

Continue Reading

MMA

Ismael Bonfim removed from UFC roster after gigantic weight miss

Published

on

Ismael Bonfim removed from UFC roster after gigantic weight miss
Ismael
Bonfim has been removed from the
Ultimate Fighting Championship roster.

Bonfim's UFC tenure ended after a loss to Francisco
Prado at
UFC Vegas 122 on Saturday. The Brazilian missed the non-title
lightweight limit by 7.5 pounds and forfeited 25% of his purse. He
then suffered a first-round technical knockout before being removed
from the roster.

Ismael Bonfim exits UFC with 2-5 record after third weight miss
and Francisco Prado TKO

This was Bonfim's third weight miss during his UFC tenure. He came
in 3.5 pounds overweight for a scheduled fight against Vinc Pichel
in 2023, prompting the bout's cancellation. Bonfim missed weight by
five pounds against Chris
Padilla last year and lost by knockout. He was finished in his
last four UFC appearances.

Before news of his departure, Bonfim posted a statement Sunday
reflecting on the loss. The 30-year-old thanked his supporters and
said his career was not over.

“Always grateful to God for life, health and every opportunity He
gives me,†Bonfim wrote on Instagram. “Everything doesn’t go as
planned, results don’t always come as desired, but my faith remains
unshakable. Because, above my plans, are God’s plans, and I choose
to trust, even when I don’t understand. Thank you to every person
cheering me on, praying for me and standing by my side no matter
the outcome. You are all part of my story! There are no excuses, no
shame, and much less reason to give up. We’ve come here the hardest
way, facing battles few know about, overcoming fears, breaking
barriers, and fighting against things that go far beyond what
happens inside an octagon. The result of a battle does not define
the value of a warrior, and defeat will never be able to erase the
entire history we have built. I keep my head held high, my heart at
peace and my faith even stronger. Because who knows where he came
from, everything he faced and how much he had to fight to get here,
doesn’t give up because of a result. My story doesn’t end here. God
is still writing the next chapters, and I trust Him completely. All
honor and all glory be given to God!â€

Bonfim earned a UFC contract on
Dana White's Contender Series in 2022 and won his promotional
debut with a flying knee knockout of Terrance
McKinney. He went 1-5 afterward, finishing his UFC tenure at
2-5.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending