Khamzat Chimaev Expects to Receive Title Shot Against Strickland-Du Plessis Winner

Khamzat Chimaev claims to have been promised a title shot on his return to the Octagon.

Chimaev made his middleweight debut against Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 in October, picking up a majority decision win over the former welteweight champ. While “Borz” did secure the win, many questioned whether it was enough to warrant an immediate title shot.

The upcoming middleweight title fight between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis set for UFC 297 on Jan. 20 in Toronto was announced soon after.

Chimaev’s absence from the bout also makes sense considering he recently posted some concerning hospital pictures stating he was recently “very sick.” However, “Borz” claims to be next in line for a middleweight title shot after Strickland and Du Plessis fight at UFC 297.

“A hundred percent. He [Sean Strickland] has good fighter who he’s fighting with, Du Plessis, and if he wins against this guy for sure we’re gonna fight 100 percent. They promised for me that fight, so now we’re going to wait who’s winning the fight and then take the belt,” the 29-year-old said in a recent interview with Mohammed Hijab (transcription via LowKick MMA).

A devout Muslim, Chimaev credits his faith for a large part of his success. “Borz,” who was born Chechen, moved to Sweden and now represents the UAE, believes reigning champ Strickland should be afraid to fight him or any Muslim opponent, for that matter.

“I don’t know, man. He has to be afraid. Inshallah we fight with everyone, so the fights in the cage is not that big thing,” Chimaev said. “If we can make some people happy who is going through hard times and all Muslims watching us and me and Khabib, all the Muslim fighters, Belal, we know all of the kids, our kids they’re watching, they want to be like us. They [fighters competing against Muslims] should be afraid of us. We fight not just for us like they do, we fight for all Muslims.”