A fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Nate Diaz seems unlikely but the Chechen star is not letting the matchup die just yet and seems to have a backup option ready in Neil Magny.
The idea of surging UFC welterweight Chimaev (10-0) facing promotion superstar Diaz (20-13) in the Octagon started to build momentum early in November following the 27-year-old’s fourth straight dominant victory in the organization at UFC 267. The notion gained even more steam when UFC President Dana White admitted publicly that he dug the idea and would try and talk Diaz into making that the booking the last fight on his contract.
However, on Thursday the Stockton native poured cold water all over the idea when he called Chimaev a “rookie” that needed to fight competitors at his level. And that he didn’t even want to hear his name coming out of the undefeated fighter’s mouth or in his tweets. Unsurprisingly, Chimaev — who has become a prolific Twitter trash talker of late — did not stay silent in responding to Diaz’s latest comments.
Khamzat Chimaev calls Nate Diaz bout ‘easiest money’ option
You fake gangster @NateDiaz209 and I don't care who to fight i’m coming for everybody, where are you all the gangsters and kings ?
i'm here to kill everyone i'm the king here i'm a gangster here ☝🏼💀
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) December 2, 2021
“You fake gangster [Nate Diaz] and I don’t care who to fight I’m coming for everybody. Where are you all the gangsters and kings? I’m here to kill everyone I’m the king here I’m a gangster here,” Chimaev wrote on Wednesday night.
He then added in a tweet six minutes later, “You are the easiest money for me thin [Nate Diaz].”
Is Khamzat Chimaev vs Neil Magny the fight that actually happens?
Of course, the back and forth public trash talk between the two UFC stars made headlines and earned the attention of fans and fighters. One fighter, in particular, saw an opportunity at that moment. On Friday morning, seventh-ranked welterweight Neil Magny (25-8) took to Twitter and responded to a Chimaev retweet. That retweet featured a quote from White claiming “nobody wants to fight” Chimaev.
Well, “The Haitian Sensation” does and he made that clear in a tweet to “Borz” simply saying, “I know a guy who’s ready!” Never one to let a callout go unanswered, Chimaev quickly responded back by saying, “I come for you, get ready skinny boy.”
I come for you, get ready skinny boy 💀
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) December 3, 2021
Although a Chimaev vs Magny booking does not have the sort of broad appeal as a fight with Diaz would, it is the most likely option.
Diaz is uninterested in possibly diminishing his value before he heads into MMA free agency by losing to a young up-and-coming star. Chimaev wants the fastest route to a title opportunity. Another impressive win over a top-10 talent and highly respected fighter in Magny does check off a lot of boxes. And for Magny, the only top-10 talent pushing hard for the bout, it offers him a chance to steal the spotlight from the biggest hype train in the sport today.
Are you disappointed that a Diaz vs Chimaev fight is unlikely, and is Chimaev vs Magny a good consolation?
