Khamzat Chimaev shoots down UFC 319 retirement rumors, eyes triple champ status

That’s because “Borz” has bills to pay and a single fight against middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis on Aug. 16 in Chicago is not gonna be enough to call it quits. Besides, the former welterweight has plans to capture three titles in as many weight classes once he disposes of “Stillknocks.”

“I need money bro. This is not enough, just to go for the one title,” Chimaev told ESPN MMA. “Hopefully if I don’t get injured or some stuff, gonna defend the belt or fight for other belt in Abu Dhabi, as well.”

“I work with a new coach and talk to him about going down again to 170,“ Chimaev continued. ”He said gimme a couple months and I’m gonna make it. I don’t know who is the champ there, this Australian guy. Would be a good fight for me. Go down, fight with him as well, take the belt there. If I go up, there is Ankalaev and Alex Pereira, they’re fighting now. Whoever’s winning, I can fight for that belt, as well.”

None of this matters unless Chimaev can become the first fighter under the UFC banner to solve the “Stillknocks” riddle at UFC 319. In addition, the promotion may not be in any big hurry to send “Borz” back to welterweight after his epic scale fail at UFC 279 back in late 2022.

To see who else is fighting at UFC 319 in Chicago click here.