Lots of people are jumping on the Khamzat Chimaev hype train, and it’s clear Daniel Cormier is all-in on the fast-rising star. So much so, “DC” believes Chimaev could secure both the UFC’s middleweight and welterweight titles….next year.

Cormier sees Chimaev holding two belts within a year

Heading into UFC Vegas 11, there was already a tonne of buzz tied to Chimaev. After all, the Chechen-born, Swedish fighter made UFC history this past July, by becoming the first fighter to win two fights, in just ten days.

Then, this past weekend, the 26-year-old increased his fanbase further, by taking out veteran middleweight, Gerald Meerschaert with just one punch. The fight lasted just 17 seconds.

While talking with Ariel Helwani recently for ESPN, Cormier relayed that not only is on the Chimaev hype train, he’s driving it (quotes via MMA Mania).

“Let me turn the music on,” Cormier said. “Choo-choo! Where’s my steering wheel? Because I’m driving the train, baby.

You know I’m driving the train. What about when he made his debut and you had to tell me his name? That was like three fights ago!…

Boy, do I know who he is now. I’m the conductor of this train and I’m not letting certain people on.

“[The UFC] were like, ‘We’re gonna schedule him two because this dude’s special,’ and boy he showed it last weekend,” Cormier added.

“And you know what’s even more impressive? He’s a 170-pounder.”

And, when asked where he sees Chimaev in a year’s time, the legend said this.

“By 2021, Khamzat Chimaev is fighting for the belt or is the champ. In 2021, Khamzat Chimaev is the double champ, 170 and 185 (pounds).

I love [UFC Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya] but he goes up and down, he fights everybody. After what I saw … this spaceship is going to the moon….

He’s got a great philosophy, he’s got a great mind for fighting, he’s got all the physical ability to dominate two weight classes, dude is the real deal.”

Bold prediction?

Now, there’s a chance that Cormier may have been playing things up a bit here. If you watch the interview, you’ll see Cormier was pretty animated for the segment.

That’s not to say Cormier isn’t extremely impressed with what he’s seen from Chimaev, and he could very well believe the undefeated fighter has the potential to win two belts, next year.

It’s going to be interesting to see who the UFC matches Chimaev up against next, and what type of fighter they are.

Will the UFC look at having Chimaev fight someone with top-tier wrestling and dangerous hands?

The plan was to have him fight longtime, contender and jiu-jitsu titan, Demian Maia next. But it’s not clear now whether that will happen. 

Based off how Maia’s bouts against Tyron Woodley, Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman went, you can understand why some folks are calling on the UFC to scrap that plan.

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