UFC 319: Khamzat Chimaev post-fight interview
UFC CEO Dana White spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters at the UFC 319 post-fight press conference and talked the top storylines from Saturday’s event./
CHICAGO – Khamzat Chimaev beat Dricus Du Plessis soundly at UFC 319 on Saturday, and he wasn’t afraid to let him know as he was doing it.
Following his title-clinching victory at United Center, Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) what it was exactly that he told Du Plessis (23-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) as he cruised to a unanimous decision victory.
“I was working on him,” Chimaev told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “I had some cool time on there. I spoke with him. I spoke with his coach in the middle of the fight. I was happy. … I said, ‘Good job. Work harder, guys.'”
A man of few words, Chimaev didn’t offer up much preference as to what his first move as UFC middleweight champion will be. He declined to speculate who his next opponent will be, and said he’d fight whenever the UFC came calling with a paycheck.
One thing Chimaev did elaborate on, however, was the idea that his stock may have risen in the public’s eye. Many analysts speculated cardio could be an issue for Chimaev as he’d never been into the championship rounds and had slowed in a few previous fights.
However, Chimaev maintained a high pace over the course of 25 minutes and put forth one of the most lopsided UFC title fights ever.
“I don’t care what people think about me doing my thing,” Chimaev said. “How many strikes did I land on him? How many takedowns did I have in there? I didn’t gas out, so now they know.”
