Khamzat Chimaev has been backed by veteran MMA coach Firas Zahabi to beat UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
Chimaev is one of the UFC's biggest upcoming talents and returns to the octagon for the first time in 2022 next month against former title challenger Gilbert Burns. It's a big step up for the No.11 ranked Chimaev, but he is still a huge favourite over 'Durinho'.
'Borz' has switched between welterweight and middleweight for his four fights in the UFC. Adesanya was called out by Chimaev after defending his title earlier this year, with 'The Last Stylebender' shrugging off the Chechen's comments.
Zahabi told the Blood Brothers Podcast that Chimaev has the potential to be the greatest MMA fighter of all time, stating: "I think [Chimaev] becomes world champion eventually and maybe even the greatest of all time. I think he beats Adesanya. Mark my words, if Khamzat fights Adesanya, he beats Adesanya. I have no doubt in this."
Chimaev has expressed his interest in beating Conor McGregor to become the first three-weight champion in UFC history. McGregor, who is already a former two-weight champion, has called for a fight with 170-pound king Usman later this year.
"I don’t want to be just a regular guy who won one belt," Chimaev told RT. "I want two or three belts. We’ll see, if I can do it I will do it. We may make our plans, but God has the last word."
After being signed to the UFC in 2020, Chimaev broke promotional records for the fastest consecutive wins and three fight win streak in modern history. His fighting career was almost cut short due to Covid-19 health issues, but he returned last October to submit Li Jingliang in one round.
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Zahabi thinks the UFC wants to build up Chimaev before rushing him into a title fight. A win against Burns could leapfrog Chimaev into the top five after just three fights at 170-pounds.
"I think Dana wants to build him more, he has to get known. It's complicated when you're a champion if people don't know who you are, it doesn't matter how great you are people have to know how great you are," he said.
"Some guys are better than their reputation is known, Khamzat is there. He's a lot better than people know yet, people don't know Khamzat enough yet. I think the UFC wants to familiarise him then give him a megafight because it's going to lead to more sales."
