UFC welterweight star Khamzat Chimaev is set to make his return to the Octagon against top 5 middleweight contender Jared Cannonier. Get all the details on this highly anticipated matchup.
| Key Points |
|---|
| Khamzat Chimaev’s return to the Octagon may be imminent |
| His divisional future has been uncertain due to a weight miss |
| Chimaev is set to face top 5 middleweight contender Jared Cannonier |
| The matchup has been confirmed through a social media post by Chimaev’s coach |
| Cannonier expressed willingness to fight Chimaev with the guarantee of a title shot |
It’s been 10 months since UFC welterweight star Khamzat Chimaev last entered the Octagon, but it appears that a return announcement may be imminent. Since his last appearance, a submission victory over late-notice opponent Kevin Holland, Chimaev’s divisional future has been uncertain…
Chimaev’s Divisional Future
That’s owing to a sizable weight miss that saw his planned 170-pound main event opposite Nate Diaz scrapped at UFC 279. Since then, talk of the Chechen-born Swede’s comeback fight has included both welterweight and middleweight fights. Chimaev’s coach previously outlined his man’s intention to win gold at the lower weight class before moving up in pursuit of ‘champ-champ’ status. But a recent social media post appears to have confirmed 185 pounds as the immediate destination…
Chimaev Seemingly Set To Face Top 5 Middleweight
In recent times, talk of Chimaev returning has picked up pace courtesy of back and forth online with the likes of Kamaru Usman and Paulo Costa. After a possible middleweight clash with the latter didn’t come to fruition, it appeared that mutual interest between ‘Borz’ and ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ could lead to an Octagon meeting. But while the former champion has called for Chimaev to cut the weight for a 170-pound showdown, it appears that middleweight is the immediate goal…
Jared Cannonier as Chimaev’s Opponent
That was seemingly confirmed in a recent Instagram post by coach Azamat Dugulubgov, who uploaded an image that showed himself studying tape on Chimaev’s next opponent. While the trainer covered the weight class, names, and fighters, one eagle-eyed Twitter user has seemingly found the exact freeze frame, thus identifying Chimaev’s return opponent. ‘Its official! Jared Cannonier vs Khamzat Chimaev for UFC 294. I was able to find out the exact moment posted on the Instagram story of Jalin Turner’s coach that is supposed to be Khamzats opponent. You can see for yourself, but everything aligns even the short-term sponsors.’ Jared Cannonier has long been considered a possible opponent for Chimaev at middleweight, and discourse surrounding the matchup picked up last month following the #3-ranked contender’s victory over Marvin Vettori. During his post-fight press conference, ‘The Killa Gorilla’ expressed a willingness to share the cage with the undefeated ‘Borz,’ but insisted he’d only do so with the guarantee of a title shot in his back pocket…
Conclusion
With Khamzat Chimaev’s return to the Octagon seemingly imminent, fans are eagerly awaiting his matchup against top 5 middleweight contender Jared Cannonier. The Chechen-born Swede has his sights set on the 185-pound division and hopes to secure a victory to propel him closer to his ultimate goal of becoming a ‘champ-champ.’ Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated fight.
