Alex Pereira Calls Out Khamzat Chimaev for Cherry-Picking Opponents, Fans React
Alex Pereira, the newly crowned UFC light heavyweight champion, has publicly criticized fellow fighter Khamzat Chimaev for seeking favorable matchups and avoiding tough opponents. Following his stunning TKO victory over Jiří Procházka at UFC 295, Pereira turned his attention to Chimaev, who has recently faced some challenging performances in the octagon. Pereira accused Chimaev of cherry-picking opponents and shared a meme on social media to mock him. MMA fans had mixed reactions to Pereira’s post, with some expressing disappointment in his transformation from a feared competitor to a meme page.
Chimaev, known for calling out fighters he cannot possibly face due to scheduling conflicts or being in different weight divisions, has faced criticism for his recent performances against top-level opponents. Despite maintaining an undefeated record, Chimaev struggled in a hard-fought battle against Gilbert Burns, prompting many to argue that Burns deserved the win. This trend continued when Chimaev faced Kamaru Usman on short notice, raising questions about his dominance in the middleweight division. Pereira seized the opportunity to point out Chimaev’s preference for favorable matchups, highlighting the Chechen phenom’s recent shortcomings.
MMA fans took to social media to share their thoughts on Pereira’s public call-out. One fan lamented Pereira’s shift from being a stone cold killer to a meme page, suggesting that the fighter’s image had been tarnished by the opinions circulating on MMA Twitter. Meanwhile, another fan playfully remarked that Pereira had become sillier, accompanied by a picture of the Brazilian fighter smiling. It was evident from the fan reactions that Pereira had gained an upper hand in the meme department, further adding to the intrigue surrounding his rivalry with Chimaev.
Despite his swift rise to prominence in the UFC, Pereira has experienced both triumph and disappointment in his career. Following a notable and lucrative rivalry with Israel Adesanya, Pereira dethroned Adesanya as the middleweight champion but then suffered a knockout defeat in their immediate rematch. Since then, Pereira has made the move to the light heavyweight division, where he captured the title. While he has yet to defend his new belt, Pereira is scheduled to face former champion Jamahal Hill in his first title defense.
As the newly minted UFC light heavyweight champion, Pereira shines a light on Chimaev’s alleged matchmaking maneuvers. With fans divided over his transformation from an elite fighter to a meme page, it remains to be seen how this war of words will impact both fighters’ futures in the octagon. MMA enthusiasts eagerly await Pereira’s upcoming title defense as he aims to solidify his position as a dominant force in the light heavyweight division.
