White: UFC discussing fight between Maia, Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev will likely take a big step up in competition in the near future.
UFC president Dana White said Friday that the promotion is discussing booking the red-hot welterweight prospect against former title challenger Demian Maia on a "Fight Island" card later this year.
However, that won't be Chimaev's next fight.
White said the promotion is also working on a bout for Chimaev at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, though he didn't reveal who the opponent will be.
The final show at the UFC Apex is expected to be Sept. 19 before the promotion returns to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for a second slate of events. The UFC has two other Las Vegas events scheduled for Sept. 5 and 12.
White said Chimaev will arrive in the United States early next week. The fighter lives in Sweden and obtained his U.S. visa earlier this week, according to MMA Junkie's John Morgan.
Chimaev made his Octagon debut at a UFC Fight Night card in July in Abu Dhabi. He dominated John Phillips en route to a second-round submission win and then made the quickest turnaround in the promotion's history when he returned 10 days later to finish Rhys McKee via first-round TKO.
Maia, a 42-year-old veteran, is coming off a knockout loss to top contender Gilbert Burns at UFC Brasilia in March.