Khamzat Chimaev promoted to UFC main event in Las Vegas against ranked opponent

Welterweight phenom Khamzat Chimaev, who also competes at 185 pounds, will serve as one half of an upcoming UFC main event later this year in Las Vegas, according to promotion president Dana White, who confirmed at the UFC 253 press conference that “Borz” will face a ranked opponent.

Just as soon as matchmakers can find one to take the fight.

“I have a date, now they looking for other side,” Chimaev wrote on Twitter. “Five-round main event. Thank you Dana White for keeping your word. We talk with UFC nobody in Top 10 not scheduled wants to fight with me. Demian Maia, I respect you, I want to test myself and my grappling against legend like you.”

See the entire welterweight Top 15 right here.

Chimaev (9-0) was expected to land the Maia fight with a victory over Gerald Meerschaert at the UFC Vegas 11 event last weekend in “Sin City” and since “Borz” held up his end of the bargain, it’s not up to the Brazilian and management team to put pen to paper.