'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It's no secret that Khamzat Chimaev cuts a lot of weight to make the 170lbs limit to compete at welterweight.
Fans were stunned after seeing a recent photo Chimaev posted on his Instagram account, where he looks much bigger than a typical welterweight fighter. It looked like he was working out in the gym at the time the picture was taken and fans took notice:
"Even Khamzat hit heavyweight before Jon Jones" - @joshstix95
"13-0 coming soon easy money" - @tanilhope
"Lol Alex looking at this like "maybe Izzy for my first title defense" - @nazeer.fit
"looking like 185 for the wolf" - @liamharryelvin
Fans weren't the only ones reacting to the post as there were some fighters that took notice as well. 'Borz's' former foe Gilbert Burns, who he defeated via unanimous decision at UFC 273, commented with a lot of eye emojis that signify he noticed a big difference:
"👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀" - @gilbert_burns
"🐺 👑" - @jimimanuwa
"🔥🔥🔥"- @alexandrekpitao
In addition to the reaction to 'Borz's' larger frame, fans also speculated on what fights could be on the horizon:
"January vs Colby?" - @alhaikiim
"Khamzat vs Poatan" - @_humaidi_ahmed
"hell yes! fight Burns or Costa first! Lets see some violence!" - @the_higher_ground86
'Borz' has competed at 185lbs before, so it wouldn't be out of the ordinary if he accepted a fight for UFC 283, which could use another big fight to bolster the card.
Who will Khamzat Chimaev fight next?
Khamzat Chimaev is keeping all his options open as it pertains to his next opponent and the weight division the bout will be contested at.
UFC president Dana White has mentioned that the plan is to book Chimaev vs. Colby Covington next, but things could obviously change. They were linked to the bout earlier this summer, but the promotion decided to book 'Borz' vs. Nate Diaz, which didn't end up coming to fruition because the undefeated welterweight missed weight by 7.5lbs and the card was famously rearranged.
Another possibility could be Khamzat Chimaev challenging Alex Pereira for the UFC middleweight championship. With Adesanya receiving a six-month medical suspension, 'Poatan' could decide to defend his title and remain active rather than wait for a rematch.
