Khamzat Chimaev took issue with one reporter during the UFC 308 pre-fight press conference.
The undefeated phenom came together with a bunch of fighters, including his next opponent, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, ahead of UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night.
It was pretty respectful between Chimaev and Whittaker, but there was a slight flash point when an Australian reporter got a little bit excited during his time on the mic.
Whittaker seemed to appreciate the love from his compatriot, while Chimaev wanted the journalist thrown out of the venue.
Khamzat Chimaev asks his fans to ‘throw out’ Australian reporter
Nick Cody from Kayo Sports Australia became an unlikely star at the UFC 308 press conference.
The reporter wanted to get some advice for fans from his home country, who will face a tricky decision this weekend because UFC 308 starts at an unconventional time for Whittaker fans.
Cody said to Whittaker: “As always, you’ve got the entire country behind you. But Saturday night here is 5am Sunday morning in Sydney and Melbourne. That’s when the main card kicks off.
“What would you recommend to the people, go to bed early and set an alarm or just push through, send it, and have a big party when Whittaker gets the W?”
Whittaker let out a chuckle and paused before Chimaev shut down the party suggestion.
He said:” It will be a bad morning for you guys… F*** off, man!
Still hysterically laughing, ‘The Reaper’ eventually answered the question put to him.
Whittaker: “Tuck yourself in early. Wake up. It’s gonna be a cracker. I won’t keep you waiting.”
As the next reporter tried to get his question out, Chimaev was still focused on Cody, so he called on the people in the crowd to throw him out of the venue.
The Russian beast even threatened to follow the Aussie reporter home, but he did so with a smirk on his face to suggest he was just joking. Still, Cody will be hoping he doesn’t bump into Whittaker’s opponent anytime soon.
Chimaev said: “Abu Dhabi fans, my Muslim brothers, take out this s***. Throw him out.
“Get back to Australia. I’m coming to your home, man.”
Israel Adesanya predicts there’ll be an Aussie party after UFC 308
Israel Adesanya is backing Whittaker to become the first man to beat Chimaev.
‘Borz’ boasts a perfect 13-0 record, which includes high-profile victories over long-time welterweight contenders Gilbert Burns and Kevin Holland.
However, the 30-year-old earned his biggest win to date last time out. Chimaev beat Kamaru Usman by a majority decision when they fought at UFC 294 in October 2023.
‘The Last Stylebender’ has beat Whittaker twice in the UFC, and learned during those fights that the Aussie fan favorite is as tough as nails.
“I just think, Khamzat, if he’s gonna win he’s gotta do it in the first or second round with a submission. I don’t see him dropping Rob,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel.
“Rob is a guy not to be f***ed with. Look at his last fight, hopefully, people will remember who he is now. I think Rob will do it again, definitely not as early, I don’t think so.
“I just think he’ll catch him later on. But he has to weather the storm, he has to survive until he can’t… I’m gonna go Rob with this one with the late finish. Round 4. I’m gonna go Rob. Round 4, late finish.”