Eager to return to competition, UFC welterweight [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] is not looking to mirror his past performances.
Chimaev (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) hasn’t competed since September 2020, when he knocked out Gerald Meerschaert in just 17 seconds. But the rising star’s momentum took a halt when a long battle with COVID-19 forced him to the sidelines for over a year.
While a quick finish is always a nice result in an MMA fight, Chimaev is also known for his ability to inflict damage, and he wants a full experience in the octagon when he takes on [autotag]Li Jingliang[/autotag] in Saturday’s UFC 267 main card.
“I hope he’s gonna give me some fight,” Chimaev told UFC Arabia. “Not finish him in like one minute or two minutes. I want to fight more because I’m hungry. I didn’t fight for one year, and I hope he’s gonna go two or three rounds.”
Chimaev admits that it’s refreshing to see Jingliang (18-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) give him some respect in the pre-fight buildup but says that won’t change his intentions on the night.
“I like him, too – he’s a good guy, but I have to beat him up,” Chimaev said. “People who do this sport, in MMA the guys who are high-level know you can’t beat nine guys, nine finishes and be just hype. People talk about me being famous, blah, blah, blah. I’m a fighter. I’m a warrior. That’s why I’m here.”
He continued, “I don’t have some plans for the fight. I just go in and fight. Everything comes natural. Just go in and kill him.”
And when asked which feels better, a knockout or a mauling for three rounds, Chimaev said there’s something satisfying about making a man quit.
“Doesn’t matter,”Chimaev said. “When I see his eyes and he doesn’t want to fight with me, I feel more comfortable, more nice. Maybe take him down sometimes and beat him and see his eyes and he says, ‘Stop now, I’m finished.’ I like that.”
UFC 267 takes place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The card streams on ESPN+.
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