Khamzat Chimaev delivered superbly on his hugely anticipated return to the UFC in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night, then promptly declared “I’m the champ”.
The breakout star of 2020, Chimaev had not fought since racing to 3-0 in the UFC last September, as he battled a particularly debilitating case of Covid-19.
However, the Chechen-born Swede made up for lost time at UFC 267 in the capital, submitting No 11-ranked welterweight Li Jingliang in the first round at Etihad Arena. His victory, in the card’s 10th bout, was greeted with one of the loudest cheers of the night.
Whooping and hollering inside the octagon as he waited to speak to former two-division champion Daniel Cormier, Chimaev screamed: “Everybody. I come here for everybody. Kill everybody. I’m the champ.”
With the victory, Chimaev climbed to 10-0 as a professional, with all wins coming via finishes. In his four appearances the UFC – three have taken place in Abu Dhabi – he has landed a total of 254 strikes while receiving only two. Against Li, he landed all 25 strikes. His Chinese opponent was 0 for 1.
Chimaev, 27, began the bout by lifting Li over to the far side of the octagon, directly in front of UFC president Dana White – in what appeared to be an intentional move towards the American. Afterwards, he apparently called out White for looking at his phone at one point during the action.
All the action from UFC 267
-
Fans outside the arena during UFC 267 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 30, 2021. All Images Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Petr Yan won the UFC interim bantamweight title fight against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 267in Abu Dhabi. -
Cory Sandhagen (blue) takes a kick from Petr Yan (red) at UFC 267. -
UFC interim bantamweight title match between Cory Sandhagen (blue) and Petr Yan (red) at the Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. -
Glover Teixeira stunned Jan Błachowicz in their light heavyweight title match at UFC 267. -
Glover Teixeira submitted Jan Błachowicz for the UFC light heavyweight title. -
Light heavyweight title fight between Glover Teixeira (blue) and Jan Błachowicz (red). -
Glover Teixeira submitted Jan Błachowicz at UFC 267. -
Glover Teixeira (blue) overpowered Jan Błachowicz (red) at UFC 267. -
Emirati performers during UFC 267 at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. -
Allan Nascimento lost to Tagir Ulanbekov (red) in the opening bout at UFC 267. -
Tagir Ulanbekov (red) after his flyweight win over Allan Nascimento. -
Khabib Nurmagomedov watches the flyweight bout between Allan Nascimento and Tagir Ulanbekov at the Etihad Arena. -
UFC flyweight bout between Allan Nascimento (blue) and Tagir Ulanbekov (red) at UFC 267. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi -
Etihad crew members outside the Etihad Arena. -
Emirati performers during UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi. -
Lerone Murphy (blue) is tackled by Makwan Amirkhani (red) in their featherweight bout. -
Light heavyweight bout between Michał Oleksiejczuk (blue) and Shamil Gamzatov (red). -
Andre Petroski (blue) takes hold of Hu Yaozong (red) in their middleweight bout. -
Zubaira Tukhugov won his featherweight bout against Ricardo Ramos. -
Women's strawweight bout between Virna Jandiroba (blue) and Amanda Ribas. -
Zubaira Tukhugov after defeating Ricardo Ramos at the Etihad Arena. -
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos after winning his welterweight fight in Abu Dhabi. -
Michał Oleksiejczuk won the light heavyweight bout with Shamil Gamzatov. -
Roman Kopylov defends against and Albert Duraev (red). -
Khamzat Chimaev won in the first round against Li Jingliang. -
Khamzat Chimaev submitted Li Jingliang at the Etihad Arena. -
Khamzat Chimaev dominated on his UFC return. -
Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates Islam Makhachev's win over Dan Hooker. -
Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates Islam Makhachev's lightweight bout win over Dan Hooker. -
Heavyweight bout between Marcin Tybura (blue) and Alexander Volkov. -
Dan Hooker (blue) and Islam Makhachev (red) at UFC 267. -
Islam Makhachev (red) dominated Dan Hooker at UFC 267.
