Khamzat Chimaev claimed the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 318 on Saturday, defeating Dricus du Plessis. Immediately after securing the belt, Chimaev faced questions about his upcoming title defenses, making clear he is eager to take on any challengers that come his way.
Willing to Face All Challengers Without Hesitation
With a perfect 15-0 record, Chimaev remains unfazed by potential opponents lined up to challenge him. In a post-fight scrum with Cageside Press and other reporters, he stated he is open to fighting anyone as long as the offer is right.
“I don’t care about these things,”
Chimaev said, adding,
“I just…where they give the money I’ll fight anyone.”
Response to Former Champion Sean Strickland’s Claims
Among those challenging Chimaev’s dominance is Sean Strickland, who claimed on social media that he could out-grapple the new champion, recalling their brief time training together where he believed he out-wrestled Chimaev. The champion dismissed these remarks with a smile.
“Bro Dricus take him down many times. How can he take me down? This guy I beat him everywhere. This guy just talk too much,”
Chimaev said, referring to Strickland. He added with a laugh, “He’s funny guy.”
Chimaev Jokes About Facing Two Opponents at Once
Not only confident against one challenger, Chimaev even proposed the idea of taking on both Strickland and his training partner Paulo Borrachina simultaneously, saying,
“He’s working with, what’s his name, (Borrachina)? Yeah Paulo. I’ll meet them together.”
Emotional Moment with His Mother After Victory
Following his win, Chimaev continued his tradition of calling his mother after every fight, but this time the conversation was especially emotional. He shared,
“She was crying. Mom I’m the champ now so don’t cry,”
reassuring her before adding, “I’ll be back soon.”
Support for Training Partner Baisangur Susurkaev on UFC Debut
Chimaev was not alone at UFC 318, as his close friend and training partner Baisangur Susurkaev made his UFC debut shortly after earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. Chimaev praised Susurkaev’s talent and potential, saying,
“I knew him long time before. My friends they worked with him, trained with him. He’s younger than me, he’s been in the gym in Chechnya and then he moved when I moved back. He moved to US. He lives in Miami in great gym he’s training there.”
He expressed strong confidence in Susurkaev’s future, noting,
“Good future. When I come here we call him, bring him to the camp, work with this guy. Crazy good talent and young. 24 years only. If he works hard he’s the next champ.”