Khamzat Chimaev hits back at Conor McGregor staking a claim in middleweight belt ahead of UFC 328

Khamzat Chimaev didn’t hold back on former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor’s recent claims to the middleweight belt.

Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland will clash in a UFC middleweight title grudge match this weekend at UFC 328, and Conor McGregor is keeping a keen eye on the action.

McGregor, who hasn’t fought since injuring his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, is targeting a return to the Octagon later this year against a to-be-announced opponent. After he was scheduled to headline UFC 303 against Michael Chandler, McGregor has turned his attention towards other opponents after the Chandler main event fell through.

While the details regarding McGregor’s comeback remain uncertain, he recently made headlines by staking a claim to the UFC middleweight belt. In a recent tweet, McGregor explained he was ‘excited to see his belt on the line’ at UFC 328, a subtle jab at Chimaev and Strickland.

It didn’t take long for Chimaev to take notice of McGregor’s claims.

Khamzat Chimaev responds to Conor McGregor’s UFC 328 fight week declaration

During his UFC 328 media day press conference, Chimaev responded to McGregor’s social media comments.

“His belt? He lost his belt years ago!” Chimaev said of McGregor’s tweet.

“So I don’t know. This guy should come off drugs and his Proper something [Proper Twelve, McGregor’s whiskey brand] that he is drinking all the time, and get to work. Let’s fight, and I don’t care if it’s boxing. I told the Zuffa Boxing people that everyone thinks I’m just a wrestler, but I don’t need to just use my boxing because I am an MMA fighter.

“If I go to boxing, I’m going to show my boxing too.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)

UFC CEO Dana White has repeatedly said that UFC fighters won’t be permitted to find under the Zuffa Boxing umbrella, despite recent pleas from Dustin Poirier and Sean O’Malley. Chimaev has never fought in professional boxing, while McGregor is 0-1, losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2017.

First things first for Chimaev as he prepares to potentially put an end to his long-standing feud with Strickland. After that, McGregor could potentially be in the mix as a future opponent.

What is your prediction for Khamzat Chimaev vs. Conor McGregor? Let us know in the comments!