UFC middleweight prospect Nick Maximov is feeling very confident following his UFC Vegas 47 co-main event win on Saturday. So confident he is calling for a fight with the biggest prospect in the sports Khamzat Chimaev.
Over the weekend, Maximov (8-0) was impressive in staying unbeaten and setting a division record when he scored 11 takedowns on Punahele Soriano (8-2) during a split-decision win inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Having gotten off to such a good start in his MMA career, and remaining unbeaten after two fights in the Octagon, it seems that the Oregon native believes he deserves more respect on his name.
Since he claims he is a top rising talent that is taking on the kind of fights more prominent rising stars like Paddy Pimblett and Sean O’Malley won’t.
Nick Maximov throws shade at Paddy Pimblett and Sean O’Malley for their UFC competition so far
“This is how I think about it. It’s my second UFC fight, I’m the co-main event. I’m fighting all these top prospects with either zero losses or one loss. I’m like, why am I fighting all these hard a** guys? Maximov told TMZ Sports on Sunday. “No one else is doing that. Not Paddy Pimblett, not Sean O’Malley, I’m the only one that’s doing that.”
The Nick Diaz Academy product has followed in the footsteps of Nick and his brother Nate as being a talented grappler, but he also shares their skills for bold proclamations. Along with telling TMZ Sports he thinks he will be a UFC champion within a year and could handle current middleweight champion Israel Adesanya easily, he wants a clash with the fastest rising star in the sport Khamzat Chimaev (10-0).
Maximov wants to scrap with Khamzat Chimaev
“Borz” has been utterly dominant throughout his career and in his first four Octagon appearances. Using his outstanding wrestling to often ground, pummel or submit opponents. However, Maximov claims that the Chechen has yet to face another strong wrestler who could offer up the same trouble he has imposed on all 10 of his fallen foes so far.
“Khamzat’s fights all these little a** guys, but I’d like to fight him next,” said Maximov. “He tries calling out Nate, Nate’s like fight me then. … Why are people scared [of him]? He hasn’t shown anything to be scared about because he hasn’t fought any wrestlers. He’s a wrestler who hasn’t fought any wrestlers. So, I’m like what the f*ck, fight me then.
“He’s fought MMA fighters. I’m a martial artist who can wrestle.”
A bout between the two any time soon is highly unlikely since Chimaev is currently a top-15 ranked welterweight, on the cusp of a title opportunity in 2022. While Maximov is currently unranked at middleweight.
Chimaev is expected to face second-ranked Gilbert Burns in April at UFC 273 in a matchup with serious contender implications.
What are your thoughts on Maximov’s comments? Is he barking up the wrong tree, or does the Team Diaz fighter have a point?
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