“He’s a b*tch for that” – Israel Adesanya blasts Chimaev for weight miss

Amid a week full of controversy and drama for undefeated UFC standout Khamzat Chimaev, expectations were amplified with a performance that certainly exceeded them, but UFC middleweight King-pin Israel Adesanya still labels “Borz” as a “b*tch”.

This past week leading up to UFC 279 was certainly one to remember. Initially set to face MMA icon Nate Diaz in the events headliner, Khamzat Chimaev eventually settled in the Co-main event slot against Kevin Holland due to the former missing weight, which prompted Diaz to refuse the fight.

After a card re-shuffle and three completely new fights to top the bill, the masses saw this as an opportunity missed for Chimaev, missing weight against one of the biggest names in the sport and thus losing out on a huge statement making opportunity. Big name or not, the bad blood was in the Holland matchup, with the pair having a backstage altercation earlier in the week which prompted the cancellation of the events press conference which was already underway.

Although the card had changed, many thought it had improved, with a number of fans speculating that the drama had been orchestrated by the UFC to make changes they thought would benefit the event.

With the weight miss, Chimaev competed at a 180 catch weight against Holland, closer to the middleweight limit than welterweight in which his main event was orginially contracted at. The Chechen-born Swede breezed past Holland with a D’arce choke early in the first, his 4th fight in the UFC as to where he didn’t absorb a single significant strike, the complete antithesis of his last outing, a war with top welterweight contender Gilbert Burns which he just edged.

Watching on at the weekend was UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, posting his reaction to the fights on his YouTube channel while adknowledging the undoubtable talent of the undefeated phenom.

“That was good though” Adesanya said “Khamzat was just a step ahead, two steps ahead even”.

Although impressed with what Chimaev had to offer and the way he handled business in the cage, Adesanya believes his unprofessionalism leading up to the event shouldn’t be overlooked.

“But he missed weight, so he’s a b*tch for that.”

Since his arrival into the UFC, Chimaev hasn’t shyed away from voicing his opinion on the middleweight King, citing his fighting style and lack of hunger as negative aspects to the champs game while on The MMA Hour.

“I Don’t know what’s happening with him last time” Chimaev said, he continued “he fights better before, now maybe he’s not that hungry. He drives crazy cars and has alot of money and it makes some people change. When you’re hungry you fight crazy like he did before. Now I don’t know. He just makes the points and wins the fights, it’s boring”.

Chimaev has always expressed his desire to chase middleweight gold as well as welterweight, with 2 of his first 3 fights with the UFC being at 185lbs.

Given his weight miss and success at a higher weight, should he focus on middleweight more or do you think he should naturally progress from welterweight upwards?

Could a fight with Israel Adesanya be in Khamzat Chimaev’s future and if so, how do you see it going? Be sure to let us know!