Khamzat Chimaev has responded to Conor McGregor after the former two-division UFC champion bizarrely claimed the UFC middleweight title as his ahead of UFC 328.
Chimaev is set to defend his middleweight crown against Sean Strickland in one of the biggest grudge matches of the year this weekend in Newark, New Jersey. But while the focus should have been on the title fight, McGregor inserted himself into the conversation with a now-deleted social media post.
“Very excited for the Newark, New Jersey UFC card, with my 185lb UFC title on the line,” McGregor wrote.
The comment quickly caught the attention of fans and eventually reached Khamzat Chimaev, who wasted no time shutting it down during UFC 328 media day.
“His belt?” Chimaev scoffed. “Bro, he lost his belt years ago.”
Chimaev then took things even further, questioning McGregor’s current mindset and commitment to fighting.
“This guy should come off drugs and his Proper something that he’s drinking all the time and get to work,” Chimaev said, referencing McGregor’s Proper Twelve whiskey brand.
Even with the criticism, Khamzat Chimaev made it clear he would still welcome a fight with the Irish superstar, whether inside the Octagon or in a boxing ring.
“Let’s fight,” Chimaev said. “I don’t care if it’s boxing. Everybody thinks I’m just a wrestler, but I’m an MMA fighter. If I go into boxing, I’m going to show my boxing too.”
McGregor has not competed since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. The former featherweight and lightweight champion was expected to return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 before the bout fell apart.
Now, speculation surrounding McGregor’s comeback continues to grow, especially with rumors pointing toward a potential return later this year at UFC 329 in Las Vegas.
But before any talk about McGregor becomes serious, Khamzat Chimaev has bigger business ahead of him.
The undefeated middleweight champion is preparing for a heated showdown with Sean Strickland at UFC 328.
The rivalry between the two has intensified throughout fight week, with both men trading shots in interviews and media appearances.
Still, Chimaev appears fully confident heading into the title defense.
“He can try whatever he wants,” Chimaev said earlier this week. “It’s not going to work with me.”
If Chimaev gets past Strickland, the conversation around future opponents will only get louder. And judging by his latest comments, he would have no problem welcoming McGregor into the mix next.
