The conversation surrounding a potential superfight between Khamzat Chimaev and Alex Pereira has intensified, and one former UFC champion believes the potential matchup at light heavyweight would be a disastrous career move for the Brazilian superstar.
TJ Dillashaw, the former two-time UFC bantamweight champion, offered a warning to Pereira during a recent appearance on the Jaxxon Podcast. While discussing the rumored White House event being targeted for June, Dillashaw advised “Poatan” to steer clear of the undefeated grappler, predicting a lopsided fight that would expose the light heavyweight champion’s clear weakness.
“Khamzat would run through Alex Pereira,” Dillashaw stated emphatically. “Run through. Stylistically, he runs through him. He can’t [defend his takedowns]. He can try.”
While Pereira has evolved since his transition from kickboxing, Dillashaw suggests that Chimaev’s relentless chain wrestling would be a hurdle for the striking specialist. Chimaev’s rapid ascent to the top of the 185-pound division has made him one of the sport’s biggest stars.
Khamzat Chimaev record: 15-0
Since vacating the welterweight division in 2022, “Borz” has compiled a flawless 15-0 record, leaving a trail of elite bodies in his wake. His resume now includes victories over Kevin Holland, former welterweight king Kamaru Usman, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, and, most recently, Dricus Du Plessis, from whom he wrested the middleweight belt.
Having already conquered four straight opponents at the higher weight, Chimaev has wasted no time in calling for a shot at “double champ” status, targeting Pereira’s 205-pound crown as his next conquest. On the other side of the equation sits Pereira. The former two-division Glory Kickboxing champion captured the UFC middleweight title before moving up to claim the light heavyweight championship.
His path to success includes knockouts of four former UFC champions: Magomed Ankalaev, Jiri Prochazka, Jamahal Hill, and Israel Adesanya. Pereira finds himself at a crossroads, currently weighing whether to defend his throne against the next light heavyweight contender or make a move to heavyweight to challenge for a third belt.
