If Khamzat Chimaev ever shares the Octagon with Alex Pereira, TJ Dillashaw thinks it would be one-way traffic.
Chimaev is the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion, who has yet to put his gold at stake. That hasn’t stopped him from already calling for a showdown with Pereira, who holds the light heavyweight gold. It’s a bout that many fans have been intrigued by, although some feel it could very well turn into a grappling clinic for “Borz.”
Count Dillashaw as one of those who thinks Chimaev would have his way with “Poatan.” The former UFC Bantamweight Champion revealed on the “JAXXON Podcast” that he simply doesn’t think Pereira would be able to stay on his feet (via MMAFighting).
“Khamzat would run through Alex Pereira,” Dillashaw said. “Run through. Stylistically, he runs through [Alex Pereira]. He can’t [defend his takedowns]. He can try.”
Pereira responded to Chimaev’s persistent callouts on Instagram, and he welcomed a Brazilian jiu-jitsu match with the middleweight titleholder.
“That guy says he wants to fight with me, he’s gotta get there, understand?” Pereira said. “He’s far. But, I could challenge him to fight in his area if he wants. Let me look at you directly, let’s fight in your area, grappling. And anothing thing – we can fight in [UFC BJJ]. Let’s do that then, let’s make it happen.
“I don’t even know how much money I’ll make, but good money though,” Pereira continued. “You know who I am, the money is good, that money will be donated 100 percent to charity. That work for you? Chama.”
The grappling match never took place, but Chimaev fired back with a proposal to fight Pereira on a historic UFC card.
“Let’s go White House,” Chimaev wrote. “Don’t worry, I will finish you fast [Alex]. All Brazilian fans tell this boy if you’re not scared tell him to fight.”
Do you think Alex Pereira vs. Khamzat Chimaev will ever take place? Give us your thoughts in the comment section below.