As the curtains closed on UFC 2024 with an action-packed finale, UFC CEO Dana White fueled anticipation for the year ahead with a tantalizing tease. Speaking at the UFC Tampa press conference, White delivered a cryptic announcement, “I’ve got something in the works that you’ll never see coming for 2025.” His words instantly sent shockwaves through the MMA community, igniting a wave of speculation about what surprises might be on the horizon.

Among the swirling rumors, one is gaining significant traction—a potential blockbuster showdown between Khamzat Chimaev and Alex Pereira. If this fight were to materialize, it would undoubtedly set the MMA world ablaze. Fans are already debating who would prevail in such a monumental clash of styles and skillsets. Adding to the buzz, Tim Welch, coach of former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, shared his insights on the hypothetical matchup in a recent interview.

Tim Welch weighs in on a potential fight between Alex Pereira and Khamzat Chimaev

Earlier this year, whispers of a potential showdown between Khamzat Chimaev and Alex Pereira began circulating, with Chimaev himself fueling the speculation by stating, “I’ve always been open for it.” Those murmurs recently gained momentum when MMA Uncensored suggested that the fight might be for the 205lbs title.

‘Poatan’ has solidified his status as a dominant force, dismantling nearly every opponent he’s faced. Pereira’s precision striking, honed over years in elite kickboxing, has earned him a fearsome reputation, but questions linger about his grappling and ground defense. And Chimaev is exactly that! His relentless wrestling and suffocating ground control make him a formidable threat. Chimaev’s considerable size and strength—comparable to Pereira’s—make this potential matchup even more intriguing.

Tim Welch, coach to former 135lbs king Sean O’Malley, shared his perspective on the clash during a discussion on his YouTube channel. He acknowledged Pereira’s size and striking prowess but emphasized the unique challenges Chimaev could present with his grappling. Welch explained, “That would be crazy right now. Pereira is such a big star for the UFC. I feel like Khamzat might take him down and get on his back. And then Pereira will be like, ‘F**, I’ve never had someone on my back like this, cranking his face off.”

Among many who are super excited about the clash is Robert Whittaker. The former middleweight champion faced the wrath of ‘Borz’ during UFC 308 where their contest ended in the first round. The news of the possible match-up has caught the attention of ‘The Reaper’ who has shared his honest opinion on the whole matter.

Robert Whittaker has certain predictions for the rumored fight between the pair

In 2023, Khamzat Chimaev boldly declared his ambitions, stating, “Let me finish him,” as he set his sights on a potential clash with Alex Pereira. After a period of inactivity, Chimaev silenced any doubts about his capabilities with a dominant victory over Robert Whittaker. Not only did he secure the win, but he also showcased his brute strength by controlling the fight and delivering a performance so impactful it left Whittaker with a serious jaw injury.

Whittaker commended Chimaev for his performance but offered a nuanced take on how a hypothetical fight between Chimaev and Pereira might play out. Speaking on the MMArcade Podcast with Jonny Roses, Whittaker provided an analysis that highlighted both fighters’ strengths. While he leaned towards Chimaev as the likely victor, he acknowledged Pereira’s dangerous skillset if the fight extended beyond the initial rounds.

“Chimaev, easily. Not easily, Chimaev though—he’s good at what he does. He plays into his strengths,” Whittaker began. However, he cautioned that Chimaev’s relentless pace might come at a cost, “But let’s say, hypothetically, Chimaev slows down, gasses a little bit, Pereira won’t.” Whittaker also emphasized Pereira’s ability to remain lethal even under fatigue, particularly in the striking department. “He can strike asleep, dead tired. Dude’s been doing it his whole life. He’ll k–l Chimaev in the standup. It’ll be a slaughter, but does it go that far?”

A potential fight between Chimaev and Pereira would represent the quintessential clash of styles. The MMA community has been buzzing with speculation about this matchup, with fans and analysts eagerly debating who would come out on top. As we look ahead to 2025, will this highly-anticipated showdown materialize? Let us know in the comments!