In a 2023 interview with Frontkick, Khamzat Chimaev’s manager, Majdi Shammas, made a bold prediction about a potential fight between Chimaev and former middleweight champion Alex Pereira. Shammas suggested that Pereira would struggle against Chimaev’s relentless grappling, contrasting it with Pereira’s striking-based approach. He stated, “Only God knows what would happen if Khamzat was in those positions. That’d be horrifying for Pereira. So of course, Alex is a more preferable fight. But it doesn’t matter as long as he gets the title.”
Will Khamzat Chimaev face Alex Pereira?
Chimaev’s rapid rise in the UFC saw him moving between the welterweight and middleweight divisions, while Pereira claimed the middleweight belt in 2022. However, a fight between the two never materialized. As Chimaev focused on high-profile fights across divisions, Pereira eventually moved to light heavyweight, where he captured the title. With Pereira now firmly at light heavyweight, the highly anticipated matchup remains out of reach for the foreseeable future.
Shammas’s comments highlight the stylistic clash that would make a fight between Chimaev and Pereira so intriguing. Chimaev’s elite grappling skills against Pereira’s formidable striking would undoubtedly make for a fascinating contest.