"I'm ready for some belts" - Khamzat Chimaev predicts he will become two-division UFC champion in 2023

Khamzat Chimaev has predicted he's going to achieve double champ status next year and join the elite list of fighters who have also conquered two divisions.

Chimaev has become one of the most polarizing fighters on the UFC roster following his staggering 7.5lbs weight miss at UFC 279. Despite being in the bad books for some fans, few can deny the dominance 'Borz' has brought to the octagon. The 28-year-old is undefeated (12-0) and has dominated nearly all the opponents he has faced, winning multiple bonuses in the process.

Due to his performances, fans have predicted that 'Borz' is destined to take the step up to middleweight once he's finished fighting everybody at 170lbs.

In an interview with ESPN MMA's Brett Okamoto, Chimaev discussed his future and his goals. According to Chimaev, his plan is to win the welterweight title and then set his sights on capturing middleweight gold:

"Next year, it's my year. Colby, I beat him. Then they have to give me a fight for a belt. Whichever weight class, It doesn't matter. I'm ready for some belts. I don't think he will [Covington accepting fight against him]. Sometimes people say something and do different things. If Dana calls me and he asks me things, I say do it...I appreciate what Dana and the UFC do for me."

Catch the full interview with Khamzat Chimaev:

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Chael Sonnen weighs in on Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight

Chael Sonnen recently weighed in on the future of Khamzat Chimaev after Alex Pereira's stunning victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 281.

According to Sonnen, Pereira's victory changed the landscape of the middleweight division. He claimed that it shook things up for Chimaev should he make the step up in weight class.

'The American Gangster' believes it would make more sense for 'Borz' to challenge Israel Adesanya, with the winner going on to face the newly crowned champ:

"If somebody had been going after Pereira before the fight, I'd give him a pass. If somebody was trying to get in Pereira's wheelhouse, which is always a hedge that you must make as a fighter."

Sonnen added that Khamzat Chimaev would have had a better chance of fighting Alex Pereira if he'd been calling him out before UFC 281's main event:

"You must take that risk no matter what the underdog is. When a guy is the underdog, nobody is looking at him, he is fair game. You should be the one attacking him. You should be in his face. If he loses, go deal with it, you're in there with a former number-one contender. If he wins, you're now the guy. And how the world missed that particularly when the guy is undefeated and has beaten the champion twice. It was a miss."

Catch the full video here: