Khamzat Chimaev tells Stephen Thompson, ‘leave Leon Edwards by yourself,’ challenges own challenge

Khamzat Chimaev made a decision to step on Stephen Thompson’s initial ever social media callout on Tuesday.

Earlier in the working day, “Wonderboy” doubled down on his interest to confront Leon Edwards by means of Twitter, a request he built in a latest job interview with MMA Combating.

All over 10 hours later, the undefeated Chimaev, times right after his remarkable 17-2nd knockout get about Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Vegas 11, named an audible by challenging Thompson to a struggle in its place.

Chimaev has burst on to the UFC scene with three finishes in a 66-day span. “Borz” finished John Phillips with a D’arce choke in the second round of his octagon debut at UFC on ESPN 13 in July prior to turning all-around 11 days later on with a initial-round TKO win around Rhys McKee. The 26-calendar year-outdated acquired his 3rd straight performance bonus pursuing his just one-punch KO more than a 44-combat veteran in Meerschaert.

Despite the fact that tentatively on the guides per UFC President Dana White, a matchup between Chimaev and former title challenger Demian Maia was being targeted for November. But as of now, the combat is not but signed, and White explained it’s attainable the prospect could even be booked for yet another combat in advance of Maia.

Thompson, in the meantime, is hunting to return to action for the initially time considering the fact that a unanimous final decision get above Vicente Luque at UFC 244 in November. When speaking with MMA Preventing, he claimed Chimaev is absolutely on his radar as the standout proceeds his meteoric rise in both equally the middleweight and welterweight divisions.

“He’s surely a tricky dude and someone you have to keep your eye on for sure—somebody like me, specially,” stated Thompson.