In an intriguing statement that could stir up discussions among MMA enthusiasts, former UFC champion Henry Cejudo confidently declared his unequivocal support for Khamzat Chimaev over Alex Pereira. As a two-division champion, Cejudo has a keen eye for talent and believes that Chimaev's grappling skills will pose significant challenges for Pereira in the octagon.
Chimaev, who currently holds the middleweight title with an impressive record of 15 wins and no losses in MMA (9-0 in the UFC), has expressed a strong desire to face Pereira, the light heavyweight champion, whose record stands at 13 wins and 3 losses (10-2 in the UFC). The potential showdown is being eyed for June 14 at none other than the White House. However, Pereira seems to be considering moving up in weight class himself, possibly setting his sights on a match against Jon Jones.
Cejudo elaborated on his thoughts during the latest episode of his podcast "Pound 4 Pound," which he co-hosts with fellow fighter Kamaru Usman. "He does need to defend his belt in order for him to go up," Cejudo noted, acknowledging the importance of Chimaev solidifying his status in the middleweight division before making a leap. He suggested that once Chimaev defends his title, he might want to face a top contender from the light heavyweight category before eventually squaring off against Pereira.
What makes this matchup particularly compelling, according to Cejudo, is Chimaev's exceptional grappling ability. "Stylistically, this is a fantastic fight for Khamzat Chimaev because of his grappling prowess. His top control and discipline are remarkable; it positions him well against a fighter like Pereira."
Cejudo didn’t hold back on his predictions either, stating, "I absolutely favor Khamzat in this matchup, without a doubt. I was speaking with Jon Jones recently, and he mentioned Chimaev's freakish strength. At 6-foot-4, Chimaev shares the same height as Pereira, which adds an interesting dynamic, especially when considering Khamzat’s grappling intensity and control. If they were to fight, I believe Khamzat would utilize his intellect. Do you think he would engage Pereira in striking? No way—he knows exactly where to take the fight."
Chimaev has previously demonstrated his grappling dominance, notably during his fight against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319, where he showcased his skills by executing 12 takedowns and maintaining over 21 minutes of control time throughout the bout.
This situation raises several questions: Will Chimaev get his chance to fight Pereira? Can he defend his middleweight title and simultaneously prepare for a move to light heavyweight? And how will Pereira respond to the challenge posed by Chimaev's grappling? These are just a few points that fans might want to weigh in on—your thoughts? How do you see this potential clash unfolding?
