PARIS – Georges St-Pierre had high praise for undefeated rising UFC star Khamzat Chimaev.
St-Pierre particularly is impressed with the resolve Chimaev (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) showed when he outlasted former welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns in a barnburner this past April at UFC 273.
St-Pierre, a former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion, said Chimaev proved he has championship mettle by battling through adversity and getting his hand raised after a 15-minute war with Burns.
“Yes, Khamzat is very good,” St-Pierre told fans and media during a Q&A on Friday in Paris. “He’s got all the skills. He’s very good, and he showcased incredible durability and great mental strength in his last fight when he fought Gilbert Burns, because he was pushed to the limit, and that’s when you recognize a true warrior, a true champion than a contender. When he faced those moments of adversity, some collapse, but some push through and succeed, and he proved it in his last fight. He’s very, very good.”
Chimaev meets Nate Diaz (20-13 MMA, 18-12 UFC) in the main event of UFC 279 on Sept. 10 and is a huge betting favorite heading into the bout. St-Pierre was asked about the matchup and said he finds it hard not to side with the odds.
“This fight is at welterweight. I think the odds will be towards Chimaev,” St-Pierre said. “I think it favors him because of that. However, Nate Diaz, you can never count him out. He’s very well rounded. He’s very durable, and it takes a lot to try and put him away. Khamzat is gonna be a tough challenge, because he only went the distance in his last fight, I believe, and I think he grew incredibly from that fight. He learned a lot.
“So I think we’re gonna see a better version of Khamzat, still better than what he was, and so it’s gonna be an interesting fight. But if I would have to bet on that fight, of course, I have to go with the odds and favor Khamzat Chimaev.”
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Georges St-Pierre views Khamzat Chimaev as UFC champion material: ‘He’s got all the skills’