Tomorrow on the main card of UFC 267, we will see the return of one of the most hyped prospects in recent memory. Khamzat Chimaev (9-0) will be making his highly anticipated return as he takes on “The Leech” Jingliang Li (18-6).
Li is ranked 11th in the welterweight division while Chimaev sits just outside the top fifteen. However, Li is the massive underdog tomorrow night. Granted, that’s not a spot that Li is uncomfortable with as he was a decent underdog in his last fight.
The last time we saw Li was back in January when he took on Santiago Ponzinibbio. Ponzinibbio was a big favorite, but Li wasn’t intimidated and knocked him out in the first round. Overall, Li is 4-1 in his last five UFC bouts.
As mentioned, Khamzat Chimaev has a ton of hype behind him after what he did in 2020. The Chechen made his debut on Fight Island last year and won three fights in three months. All by stoppage. The UFC then booked him against Leon Edwards, but COVID got in the way.
Chimaev had a terrible battle with COVID and at one point, he thought he was going to have to retire. However, the UFC got him the care he needed and he’s back and ready to take on one of the toughest contenders in the division.
UFC 267 Prediction
There’s a reason why Khamzat Chimaev is such a big favorite leading into UFC 267. He’s got tremendous power on his feet and he’s got incredible wrestling. If you talk with people who watch him train, they say his hands can be just as good as his grappling which is terrifying.
Li is going to be a tough test as he’s also very well-rounded. He’s incredible strong and showed in his last fight that he also has the ability to put you out if he lands the right shot. He’s going to need to land the right shot tomorrow.
Call me a believer of hype, but I just don’t see Khamzat Chimaev losing this fight tomorrow night. I actually do think it goes the distance, but I think Chimaev completely controls and dictates where the fight takes place at UFC 267.
Prediction: Khamzat Chimaev by Unanimous Decision