![Alex Pereira (left) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (right) rumors have been floating online recently. [Images courtesy: @alexpoatanpereira and @khamzat_chimaev on Instagram]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/2e3c9-17347496787865-1920.jpg)
![Alex Pereira (left) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (right) rumors have been floating online recently. [Images courtesy: @alexpoatanpereira and @khamzat_chimaev on Instagram]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Alex Pereira vs. Khamzat Chimaev rumors have been doing rounds on social media recently, and now, a former UFC champion has weighed in on how such a matchup would unfold.
Chimaev is one of the most feared grapplers in MMA, and none has experienced the full extent of 'Borz's' relentless pressure quite like Robert Whittaker. The former middleweight champion suffered an injured jaw when the Chechen-born UAE national locked in a face crank during their UFC 308 co-main event.
Hence, regarding the topic of Pereira vs. Chimaev, 'The Reaper' has no doubt that the grappling aficionado would emerge victorious. During a recent episode of the MMArcade Podcast, he said:
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"Chimaev easily [wins this one]. Oh, easily Chimaev there. I don't know unless the heavyweight strength changes there's a dynamic that Chimaev can't, Chimaev will get the takedown. He is good at what he does. He plays into his strength."
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However, the Australian is not oblivious to 'Poatan's' power and kickboxing prowess. He realizes the Brazilian will have a field day with 'Borz' if he gasses out during the fight:
"He'll kill Chimaev in a stand-up. It won't be like that Usman-Chimaev fight where Usman was kind of outboxing him a little bit at that period when Chimaev got tired. It'll be a slaughter."
Check out Robert Whittaker's comments on Alex Pereira vs. Khamzat Chimaev below:
Khamzat Chimaev recognizes knockout threat, but feels Alex Pereira is an easy matchup
Khamzat Chimaev seems to concur with Robert Whittaker's assessment of a potential Alex Pereira matchup. The 30-year-old believes 'Poatan' would be a tailor-made fight for him.
During a recent interview with Michael Bisping, the undefeated fighter claimed that his superior grappling ability makes the reigning light heavyweight champion one of the easier matchups for him in the 205-pound division.
'Borz', however, recognizes the Brazilian's unparalleled punching power. Elaborating on the potential fight, Chimaev said:
"I know stylistically this match for me is much easier than other guys. But in striking, I'm honest, I know the guy can knock me out. I know the guy is a good striker. One of the best guys, the hardest puncher, but I'm one of the best grappler-based wrestlers. He is not that."
Check out Khamzat Chimaev's comments below:
