Khamzat Chimaev on fan backlash for missing weight at UFC 279: 'I don't care'
LAS VEGAS – Khamzat Chimaev won’t pay any mind to the critics.
The UFC star doesn’t care about the backlash and criticism that has been thrown his way following his big weight miss for UFC 279. Chimaev (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) was supposed to take on Nate Diaz in the main event of the card, but he came in 7.5 pounds over the weight limit. The weight miss triggered last-minute changes to matchups at the top of the card.
Chimaev ended up fighting and defeating Kevin Holland in the co-main event of the card, while Diaz faced and submitted Tony Ferguson in the main event. During the ceremonial weigh-ins and even on fight night, Chimaev was booed by the fans like never before in his UFC career.
“You care about that sh*t? I don’t care,” Chimaev said when asked about the fan reaction at the UFC 279 post-fight press conference. “I care about my family. I care about my career. I care about my money. … One day they’re with me, one day they’re not with me.
“So, I’m real, guys. So, I like the people that are real. Not fake people going one way or going the other way.”
Being a big fighter for welterweight and not making weight by a large amount, some question if Chimaev can have a sustained career at 170 pounds. The undefeated contender won’t close the door on welterweight just yet, but is also not opposed to moving up in weight.
“Of course, I did that before, why not?” Chimaev said when asked if he can make welterweight again. “We’ll see, I have to go back and listen to my coach. If he says 170, we go 170. If he says heavyweight, we go to heavyweight.
“I’ll do my training camp, train hard and never stop. After tomorrow, I’m going back and directly going to the gym. I have nothing to do, only gym. It’s my life.”