Khamzat Chimaev, after winning the UFC middleweight belt and considering a move to challenge Alex Pereira at 205 pounds, is advised by T.J. Dillashaw to avoid the fight, suggesting Chimaev would dominate Pereira.
Khamzat Chimaev snagged the UFC middleweight belt after kicking off his career at welterweight. Now, he’s eyeing a leap to 205 pounds to challenge Alex Pereira.
T.J. Dillashaw, on the other hand, has some advice for Pereira: steer clear of Chimaev. The former bantamweight champ shared his thoughts on a recent Jaxxon Podcast episode.
Dillashaw hopes the UFC won’t set up a Pereira vs. Chimaev superfight at the White House event in June. Why? He believes it wouldn’t bode well for the Brazilian striker.
“Khamzat would run through Alex Pereira,” Dillashaw stated. “Run through. Stylistically, he runs through [Alex Pereira]. He can’t [defend his takedowns]. He can try.”
Since leaving welterweight in 2022, Chimaev (15-0) has won four straight, defeating Kevin Holland, Kamaru Usman, Robert Whittaker, and Dricus Du Plessis. The UFC hasn’t announced his first 185-pound challenger yet.
Pereira (13-3), a former two-division kickboxing champ, claimed the UFC middleweight title and the 205-pound championship. He’s knocked out four ex-UFC champs: Magomed Ankalaev, Jiri Prochazka, Jamahal Hill, and Israel Adesanya.
“Poatan” is currently deciding whether to defend his light heavyweight throne or move to heavyweight. Decisions, decisions.