UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira dismisses Khamzat Chimaev as a contender and focuses on his upcoming title defense against Israel Adesanya at UFC 287.
Alex Pereira is not interested in discussing Khamzat Chimaev’s standing as a middleweight contender. As he prepares for his first defense as UFC middleweight champion in a rematch against Israel Adesanya at UFC 287 this Saturday in Miami, Pereira dismisses Chimaev’s relevance in the division. “Whoever the UFC puts against me after this fight, I’ll be willing and ready,” Pereira stated at UFC 287’s media day. “Talking about [Paulo Costa] ‘Borrachinha’ and [Robert] Whittaker, I respect them. I don’t see them talking trash at me, wanting to promote themselves. Chimaev ran from everybody.”
Chimaev, who recently defeated Kevin Holland in a 180-pound catchweight bout, improving his MMA record to 12-0, called out Pereira after the champion’s victory over Adesanya at UFC 281. Pereira claimed that he even offered to fight Chimaev in a light heavyweight bout in January due to the short notice but was turned down by Chimaev. Chimaev later said that he could defeat Pereira easily within the “first round, first minute” if they were to fight. However, Pereira responded dismissively on Wednesday saying, “Chimaev, I’ll not even talk about him.”
Before thinking about potential opponents for future fights, Pereira must first focus on his upcoming rematch against Adesanya at UFC 287. However, he seems to have ruled out the possibility of moving up to the 205-pound division in the near future. “I’m a heavy guy, I’m a big guy, but all my work has been done in this division,” said Pereira. “It was [two pounds] heavier in kickboxing and we know that makes a difference, but I want to make history in this division. I’ve said that many times before. My body will tell me when it’s time to move up in weight, but I’m feeling great now.”