Rising UFC prospect Khamzat Chimaev has his sights set on welterweight contender Neil Magny for his return bout to the Octagon.
Following Magny's unanimous decision victory over Geoff Neal at UFC Vegas 26 this past Saturday, Chimaev doubled down on his callout of the Brooklyn, New York native. Chimaev sent out the following tweet tagging Magny and UFC President Dana White all but requesting the matchup next, while also sending out a warning to Magny.
@NeilMagny you’re fighting me next. Don’t run like chicken We will see who slaps who in the cage @danawhite
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) May 9, 2021
Magny seemed unfazed by the callout and also seemed very open to fighting Chimaev next sometime this summer when ESPN's Brett Okamoto asked him about the potential of the matchup.
I asked Neil Magny (@NeilMagny), is Khamzhat Chimaev (@KChimaev) a name that interests you?
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 9, 2021
"Yes. If he wants to come get an ass whipping this summer, let's do it."
Magny did follow up though at the UFC Vegas 26 post-fight press conference, saying while he's very interested in a fight with Chimaev, he has no plans on waiting for him if he can not get his health in order to fight sometime this summer.
"I’m at this point where Khamzat is this great competitor. I can definitely fight him and propel my career forward. But at the same time, I can’t put my career and life on hold to hope that he’s better,” Magny said (h/t MMAJunkie). “The guy has pulled out of three fights over the last few months. So for me to kind of put all my eggs in one basket and wait for him and hope that he's ready this summer, it’s just foolish on my end. I think if he prioritizes getting healthy and can actually complete a camp and show up to a fight, then sure, that’s a fight that I’m definitely interested in. But as far as putting my life on hold for him, I have things that I want to accomplish and time is not my best friend at this point, so I can’t wait around for him.”
Chimaev last competed at UFC Vegas 11 in September 2020 where he knocked out Gerald Meerschaert in just 17 seconds, and nearly retired from the sport back in March after struggling with his battle fighting COVID-19.
Khamzat Chimaev is the REAL DEAL ----
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) September 20, 2020
INSANE. #UFCVegas11 pic.twitter.com/kqbhHJYJS3
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