Neil Magny has explained why he won’t wait to fight Khamzat Chimaev after the pair teased a fight for this summer.
Chimaev called out Magny for a fight after the ‘The Haitian Sensation’s’ decision win over Geoff Neal at UFC Vegas 26. This prompted a quick reply from Magny, stating he would be all for giving Chimaev an “ass-whipping” this summer.
Talking at the post-fight press conference after his win over Neal, Magny explained why he can’t spend too much time waiting around for Chimaev.
“I’m at this point where Khamzat is this great competitor. I can definitely fight him and propel my career forward. But at the same time, I can’t put my career and life on hold to hope that he’s better,” Magny said (h/t MMA Junkie). “The guy has pulled out of three fights over the last few months. So for me to kind of put all my eggs in one basket and wait for him and hope that he’s ready this summer, it’s just foolish on my end.”
A breakout star in 2020, Chimaev (9-0) recently overcame a battle with lingering symptoms of COVID that placed doubts on his fighting future. ‘Borz’ set the record last year for the fastest time between UFC wins, picking up two victories in just 10 days.
“I think if he prioritizes getting healthy and can actually complete a camp and show up to a fight, then sure, that’s a fight that I’m definitely interested in,” Magny continued. “But as far as putting my life on hold for him, I have things that I want to accomplish and time is not my best friend at this point, so I can’t wait around for him.”
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