Khamzat Chimaev: Give me Cowboy

Former BRAVE Combat Federation contender Khamzat Chimaev was a hit at UFC on ESPN 13, dominating John Phillips and earning a $50,000 performance bonus for his Darse choke of John Phillips. At the post-fight press conference, Chimaev said what he wants next – Smesh Cowboy.

“I do this with all my opponents – I smash them all, first round, second round. I have seven wins, seven finishes,” said Chimaev.

“Borz” fought at middleweight, as he has done in the past, but he’s a welterweight, and aims to take over the division.

I feel amazing. This was the plan: Smash the guy, take the money and go home,” he said. “My coach told me, ‘You have to do wrestling now. Take him down and smash him.’ I listen to my coach. I did this. This division is not my division … but I felt good. I did this before – same weight But down in weight is much better for me. I want to be champion at welterweight. I’m going to be champion in that.

I could fight next week if they have. I told them, ‘Give me Donald Cerrone.’ If they give me, it’d be an amazing fight for me. I’m going to smash him and everybody is going to talk about it.

A natural reaction would be to believe that’s way too much, way too soon. But it’s not. For those whose familiarity with Chimaev is limited to Wednesday’s event, as he followed his coach’s instructions, you didn’t get to see his striking power, which is mindblowing – think Khabib, with one-touch KO power.

Fellow BRAVE CF alum Mounir “The Sniper” Lazzez also shone fiercely on Wednesday, also earning a $50,000 performance bonus.