TMZSports.com
There’s at least 1 person who isn’t convinced Khamzat Chimaev is a killer in the Octagon … UFC title contender Stephen Thompson.
TMZ Sports talked to 37-year-old Wonderboy — who was recently floated as a possible opponent for 26-year-old Chimaev — and Thompson made it crystal clear Khamzat simply doesn’t deserve all the praise … at least not yet.
“There’s a lot of hype around [Khamzat] at this point. He’s won three fights, he’s had one fight at welterweight, he’s ranked #15 right now, he’s gonna be fighting a guy who ranked higher than me.”
FYI, Chimaev — who has been hit a grand total of 3 TIMES in his 3 UFC fights — is fighting #3 ranked Leon Edwards (the fight was scheduled for this weekend, but Edwards got COVID, so it’s being rescheduled.)
Thompson — the #5 ranked welterweight — continued … “It’s definitely a big jump for him and a test for Khamzat. So, at this point, I’m not really sold yet. I just haven’t seen enough and on paper. Leon Edwards wins this all day, so I’m going for my man Edwards.”
Edwards is 18-3 and has won 8 fights in a row … with dubs over guys like Rafael dos Anjos and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. But Thompson says if Chimaev can take LE out … then it’ll make him a believer.
“[Khamzat] may go out there and prove us all wrong, ya never know. He’ll be the real deal. I will say he’s the real deal if he goes out there and just does work, but at this point, I haven’t seen enough.”
Speaking of big time fights, Thompson has a scrap Saturday night in Vegas against 30-year-old striker, Geoff Neal — aka “Handz of Steel” — who’s 5-0 since signing with the UFC.
Handz of Steel vs. Wonderboy!!
Britney Spears and Sam Asghari's divorce is signed, sealed and delivered as far as the… Read More
"People forget that we picked up cameras a few, three months after she found out… Read More
Getty Images Kyle Richards, 55, and Mauricio Umansky, 53, are living apart amid their separation,… Read More
Graduation season has arrived, so let’s talk outfit ideas! One thing I love about this… Read More
Play video content TikTok/@HoneyMilanMusic A massive brawl at a bowling alley in Miami erupted this… Read More
In their last chance before next week's 'Masked Singer' Quarterfinals, Beets, Gumball, and Seal gave… Read More