No. 3-ranked UFC light heavyweight contender Carlos Ulberg does not want Khamzat Chimaev to move up to the 205-pound division.
Ulberg, who is riding a nine-fight win streak and knocked out former UFC title challenger Dominick Reyes in his last outing, is now rumored to face former kingpin Jiri Prochazka for the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship at UFC 327, provided current champ Alex Pereira vacates and moves up to heavyweight.
On the other hand, Chimaev, who captured the middleweight championship last year, has yet to make his first title defense. However, the undefeated Chechen-born Emirati has stated that he doesn’t care about his spotless record and is willing to move and take chances in pursuit of two-division and even three-division glory.
However, “Black Jag” thinks “Borz” is too small to fight at light heavyweight and hence asked the latter to stay where he is and mind his own business. He told Combat Sports Network:
He’s too small. Stay in your lane, brother. Handle your business over there, and I’ll handle mine here. 205 is mine!”
Check out Carlos Ulberg’s comments below:
Dana White also does not want Khamzat Chimaev to move up to light heavyweight at the moment
Although Khamzat Chimaev has shown interest in moving up to light heavyweight to try to capture a second title and then perhaps move up to heavyweight for a third belt, UFC CEO Dana White is not willing to give “Borz” the privilege to switch weight classes without defending his middleweight title.
This past weekend at the UFC Houston post-fight presser, White said this after hearing about Chimaev’s big plans.
I’d like to see him [Khamzat Chimaev] defend his title at a weight first. Yeah, I’d like to see him defend his title before he talks about jumping around. [Are you] gonna keep going up in weight divisions without defending? I’d rather see him defend.”
Check out Dana White’s comments about Khamzat Chimaev below:
