Top 3 biggest Khamzat Chimaev Matchup UFC can create

Bo Nickal is sure the fight between him and Khamzat Chimaev will be in a ton of trouble.

Both undefeated and powerful grappling bases, Nikkal (7-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has been fishing to fight Chimef (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) since joining the UFC. The pair have exchanged words in the past, but Chimaev is far ahead of Nikkal in the title race.

Nikkal will win former championship title holder Reiner de Ridder (19-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) in a three-round middleweight match on May 3 at the UFC from Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. Meanwhile, Chimaev is expected to be next in line to UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis.

Nikkal admits he’s not there yet, but he thinks his future battle with Chimaev will be a huge hit.

“100%, that’s the most exciting fight in the department, in my opinion,” Nikkal said in an interview with Home of Fight. “As far as the fight in the UFC is concerned, I think you’re on top: (John) Jones and (Tom) Aspinel, you have Ilia (Topuria) potentially with Islam (Makachev) or another 55’er. And then, then, the most exciting fight is me and khamzat. Fight, we’ll make it happen.”

If Chimaev vs. Du Plessis is actually the next thing, Nickal believes Chimaev will prove that he has too many grappling skills.

“Tough fight: I think Doricus has sizes. He probably has a little good cardio,” Nikkal said. “I think the strike is pretty even. Cam That obviously has a huge advantage to grappling. I think it gives Kaham That the advantages of that wrestling. We’re not really looking.

“No matter what Doricus does, he can’t play a game plan for it, and he’s never felt it from anyone. In fact, I’m the only two people who believe in a sport that can give that feeling. I think it’ll give him an advantage. It’s going to be a great fight, but I’ll give Kamzat an advantage.”

For more information about the card, see the MMA Junkie Event Hub for UFC on ESPN 67.