Outpoll | Khamzat Chimaev wants title fight with Alex Pereira in UFC.

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Khamzat Chimaev wants title fight with Alex Pereira in UFC.

Khamzat Chimaev wants title fight with Alex Pereira in UFC.

1 day ago7 min read8 comments

In a move that electrified the MMA world, undefeated phenom Khamzat Chimaev has thrown down the gauntlet, explicitly calling for a champion-versus-champion super-fight against light heavyweight king Alex Pereira. Following his grueling, career-defining victory over Dricus du Plessis that secured the UFC middleweight strap, Chimaev didn't hesitate to look toward the horizon, declaring, 'I want to fight for the second belt with Pereira.If you don't play around in the stand-up, he's a very convenient opponent for me. ' This statement, dripping with the calculated confidence of a man who has steamrolled nearly every obstacle in his path, is more than just call-out; it's a strategic assessment.Chimaev, with his sambo and wrestling pedigree that draws comparisons to a prime Khabib Nurmagomedov in its relentless pressure, sees a clear path to victory against 'Poatan,' whose legendary left hook and kickboxing mastery have felled giants like Israel Adesanya and Jiri Prochazka. The stylistic clash is a promoter's dream, a classic grappler versus striker dynamic amplified to its absolute zenith.Chimaev's sheer physicality and takedown prowess, which saw him manhandle elite wrestlers like Kamaru Usman with shocking ease, present a nightmare puzzle for Pereira, whose takedown defense, while improved, remains the most scrutinized aspect of his game. Yet, to view Pereira as merely a stand-up specialist is to ignore his own meteoric rise and resilience; his recent redemption victory over Magomed Ankalaev to reclaim the 205-pound title showcased not just his otherworldly power but a fortified will, proving he can overcome adversity and wrestle-back momentum in a fight.The logistical hurdles are significant, with the UFC historically cautious about booking double-champ fights that can clog divisions, and contenders like Sean Strickland and Jamahal Hill rightfully demanding their shots. However, the sheer magnitude and global appeal of a Chimaev-Pereira showdown, pitting the Borz's Chechen wolf-pack fervor against Pereira's stoic Pataxó warrior spirit, could easily headline a stadium show in Abu Dhabi or Brazil, generating a pay-per-view bonanza.Chimaev's pragmatic addendum—'Or they give me Imavov, or de Ridder, or Hernandez, it doesn't matter. The main thing is that they pay well'—reveals the business acumen beneath the warrior's exterior, a reminder that for these modern gladiators, legacy and livelihood are inextricably linked.This potential super-fight transcends titles; it's a battle for mythical status, a chance for Chimaev to cement an aura of invincibility that echoes the early days of Anderson Silva, and for Pereira to achieve a rare, definitive victory over a stylistic kryptonite and silence his remaining doubters. The chess pieces are on the board, and the combat sports world holds its breath, waiting for the UFC to make its move in a clash that could define an era.