Khamzat Chimaev ought to upgrade to middleweight, Stephen Thompson

• Stephen Thompson believes that Khamzat Chimaev should move up to middleweight
• Chimaev ultimately drew Kevin Holland in a 180-pound catchweight match
• Thompson believes that considering “Borz’s” strength, Holland made a brave effort

Khamzat Chimaev, in Stephen Thompson’s opinion, ought to step up to middleweight. Chimaev failed to make weight by 7.5 pounds for his September welterweight match against Nate Diaz at UFC 279. Chimaev ultimately drew Kevin Holland in a 180-pound catchweight match as a result of the massive miss, and ran over him in Round 1.

Chimaev (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) has been connected to a fight with Colby Covington in the past, so “Wonderboy” is surprised to see him stay at 170 pounds.

In an interview with reporter James Lynch, Thompson said, “From what I hear, he’s a very strong welterweight,”

In an interview with reporter James Lynch, Thompson said, “From what I hear, he’s a very strong welterweight,”

“He should be at 185. I don’t even understand why he’s still at 170. I know they’re trying to get him to fight Colby Covington, which I think is gonna be a fun fight. That’s gonna be a fun fight (against) somebody who’s as strong a wrestler as Khamzat. But the thing is, is he gonna make weight? Can he make weight?”

In the following bout, Thompson (16-6-1 MMA, 11-6-1 UFC) will face Holland (23-8 MMA, 10-5 UFC) on December 3 in Orlando. Despite the fact that Chimaev easily surrendered Holland, Thompson believes that considering “Borz’s” strength, Holland made a brave effort.

“Don’t take anything away from Kevin Holland after that fight,” Thompson said. “I mean, it was a days’ notice. Fighting somebody as big and strong and wrestling savvy as Chimaev, I thought he held his own right there in the first round. A lot of crazy scrambles. He’s very scrappy on the ground. He really is; Kevin is. Which was kinda messed up, he goes in to give him a high five and he (Chimaev) shoots right in for the legs, ends up taking him down. I’m like, oh, come on, man. Should’ve just gave the guy a high five.”

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