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Now that Leon Edwards is the undisputed UFC welterweight champion after surprising Kamaru Usman with a fifth-round knockout at UFC 278 final weekend the divisional future for Khamzat Chimaev stays up within the air.
Chimaev, who’s coming off a unanimous determination win over Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 earlier this 12 months, is gearing up for a primary occasion conflict with Nate Diaz subsequent month at UFC 279. The undefeated “Borz” was anticipated to land the subsequent welterweight title shot with a victory over Diaz, however now that Edwards is champ it’s unknown what the promotion goes to do with Chimaev.
More than likely, Edwards and Usman will battle for a 3rd time someday later this 12 months into subsequent. “Rocky” has additionally expressed curiosity in combating Jorge Masvidal and eventually settling their beef so possibly the promotion bites on that possibility. Both means, some issues are going to need to fall into place for Chimaev to battle his means right into a title shot after he takes on Diaz.
In response to UFC shade commentator Daniel Cormier, Chimaev was the most important loser final weekend at UFC 279 after his title outlook was shuffled round in mere seconds.
“I believe final weekend he didn’t perceive that he was the most important loser within the Usman vs. Leon state of affairs, as a result of he was in line,” Cormier mentioned on his YouTube channel. “All he needed to do was get previous Diaz. All he needed to do, get previous Diaz, you battle for the championship, however with Leon Edwards successful now, now we bought a trilogy and rightfully so.
“That results in the query: What is that this battle for? I really feel like for Diaz, this battle’s for legacy. I really feel like for Chimaev, that is simply one other scalp on his resume, as a result of I don’t know if this win essentially places him nearer than he already is to a championship battle. And, due to the end result final weekend, he’ll want yet another. I simply marvel who that yet another goes to return in opposition to. If he beats Diaz, does he get Covington subsequent?”
Sadly for Chimaev, beating Diaz isn’t a given both. Regardless of being an enormous betting favourite to take out Diaz in his final Octagon look at UFC 279 there’s all the time an opportunity that Chimaev suffers defeat and is not in place to problem for a title. It’s unlikely given the matchup on paper, however look what simply occurred final week when Edwards shocked the world and left Usman staring on the ceiling.
What say you, Maniacs? Will Chimaev get a title shot with a win over Diaz? If not, who else does he need to beat?
Hold forth!
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