Dana White extremely impressed with Khamzat Chimaev, calls him “the next big thing in UFC”

At UFC Vegas 11, Khamzat Chimaev took MMA world by storm as he took out Gerald Meerschaert in just 17 seconds with a sensational KO. After PPV, many MMA stars and officials including Jon Jones, Joe Rogan and Belal Muhammad reacted to Khamzat Chimaev’s win, but biggest praise came from Dana White. UFC President hailed Chimaev at post-fight press conference and called him “special” before insisting that Chimaev is “different than any fighter" he has ever seen.

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Khamzat Chimaev made his UFC debut back in July 2020 where he defeated John Phillips in second round via submission. Just ten days after Phillips fight, Khamzat Chimaev met Rhys McKee at UFC on ESPN 14 where he won via technical kckout in first round. And w after beating Meerschaert, Khamzat Chimaev holds unbeaten record of 9-0, with six victories coming by kckout. While answering Megan Olivi's question after recently concluded PPV, Dana White added that he’s very impressed with Khamzat Chimaev.

"One punch. Seventeen seconds. This kid is special. I've been in business for a very long time, I've seen a lot of greats come and go; this kid is absolutely special and I've never seen anything like it," Dana White said.

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What’s next for Khamzat Chimaev?

Later, Dana White said that he met Khamzat Chimaev after fight and “ kid” is ready to face his next opponent. White admitted that he currently has idea who he’ll let Khamzat Chimaev face next. Khamzat Chimaev had earlier showed interest in fighting Demian Maia, but Dana White claims that new UFC fighter would have to face one more opponent before getting a chance to face Maia. "This guy is special, man. It's true. [...] I don't kw what I do with him yet. He might fight before Maia and fight Maia, too. Maia's t going to be ready in time for this kid," Dana White added.

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Dana White is currently at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, and is scheduled to stay put for next five weeks as promotion returns to island with a string of shows. Fight Island first event (UFC 253) of Fight Island will take place this Saturday, September 26, headlined by a middleweight title bout between champion Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa. Fight Island will n see three Fight Nights, leading to last event, UFC 254, which would mark return of undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov as he faces interim champion Justin Gaethje in a title unification bout.

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Im Source: AP, UFC/ Instagram