‘He’s not really relevant right now’ – Israel Adesanya dismisses claims that Khamzat Chimaev is a threat to his middleweight crown

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is one of the biggest names in the world of mixed martial arts. His smooth, elusive kickboxing skills and top-notch defenses make him one of the most formidable fighters the UFC middleweight division has ever seen.

For a fighter and the performer that he is, fight fans want to see him take on all the big names in the division.

In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, he was asked about Khamzat Chimaev’s statements where ‘Borz’ claimed he would “kill him.”

A calm and composed UFC middleweight champion replied, “I mean, he’s not really relevant right now. I don’t have to take it seriously until I have to take it seriously. Like his last fight, I was impressed. I was like, yo, this guy is good, but you know there are levels, so we’ll see how he does with Gilbert.

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Israel Adesanya added, “He can beat a lot of middleweights. I will tell you the same. Lots of top little middleweights, but I don’t have to take him seriously until I have to take him seriously.

As of this point, “The Last Stylebender” believes “Borz” poses no threat to his middleweight reign. However, he will have many challengers to his throne.

Israel Adesanya could fight Jared Cannonier next

Israel Adesanya has always approached the fighting game with a sense of confidence at the highest level. His aura and tenacity for performance never fails to prove that he is always at the top of his game.

After a close fight against former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 271, he went 2-0 over the Australian. Therefore, the UFC will have to look for other names to be Adesanya’s next opponent.

Currently, Jared Cannonier is the favorite to fight ‘The Last Stylebender’. The No. 3-ranked middleweight defeated Derek Brunson at UFC 271 and is the highest-ranked name not to have fought Adesanya.

WATCH THIS STORY – Five potential opponents Israel Adesanya after his win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 271

Meanwhile, Khamzat Chimaev will have to beat Gilbert Burns first and likely go wild at welterweight before he can jump the queue and become relevant for Adesanya to take him seriously at middleweight.