Israel Adesanya curbs Khamzat Chimaev's desire to fight for UFC middleweight belt

I. Adesanya (photo) retains middleweight belt in UFC 271. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc_brasil

Undefeated and packed at welterweight (up to 77kg.), Khamzat Shimaev has already revealed a desire to move up a category to measure forces against Israel adesanya for the middleweight belt (up to 83,9kg.). However, as far as the Nigerian is concerned, the Swede needs to prove his worth before being given the chance to dethrone him.

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"That guy (Khamzat Shimaev) fights at welterweight. He already fought at middleweight once, but with a low-ranking guy. He's proven he can beat some middleweights, but I'm waiting for him to show me something for that. His last fight was impressive. I may not like it, but I'm impressed with what it does. He's a beast, but a beast at welterweight,” Adesanya said in an interview with the podcast 'Hotboxing', with the boxing legend, Mike Tyson.

It does not stop there. When asked about Chimaev's recent provocations, Adesanya recalled the rivalry against the Brazilian Paulo borrachinha to highlight that he is not afraid of the 'play on words' adopted by the Swede.

“Paulo (Borrachinha) started saying that I was a shameful champion and he was going to kill me. Very similar to what this kid (Chimaev) is doing now. And I was like, 'Okay, bet on this and let's see.' And I showed him what I can do”, he concluded.

Chimaev has the 'dream' of becoming an Ultimate legend. Currently, the Swede has had four fights in the organization and has only suffered one significant blow. Undefeated in ten fights, he occupies tenth place and now measures his strength against Gilbert Durinho No. UFC 273, an event scheduled to take place next Saturday (9). If he passes Gilbert, Khamzat must focus on Kamaru Usman for the welterweight belt (up to 77kg.).