Many MMA pundits felt Khamzat Chimaev would be facing his toughest test to date on Saturday when he squared off with Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Fight Night from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The 26-year-old passed the test with flying colors as all he needed was one shot to knock out Meerschaert in just 17 seconds. The stoppage tied for the third quickest KO in the history of the UFC middleweight division and secured Chimaev his third win in 66 days, which is a UFC record.
"My coach said maybe first-round do a little bit of boxing," Chimaev told Jon Anik in his post-fight interview. "See how it feels in the UFC, your boxing. Now, I knockout this guy."
The fight began with Chimaev and Meerschaert going right at each other. But right away Chimaev applied instant pressure and threw a front kick. Chimaev continued to stalk and got the native of Wisconsin against the cage and threw a picture-perfect straight right hand to knock Meerschaert out on his feet and dropped him to the canvas. Chimaev followed up with two right hands before referee Mark Smith stepped in to stop the fight.
UFC president Dana White had stated before the fight that the Swedish sensation would face two-time UFC title challenger Demian Maia next if he got by Meerschaert. Chimaev wasn't too concerned about who and when he would compete next. All Chimaev wanted to about was securing a performance bonus.
"I hope Dana White's gonna give me 50 G's," Chimaev said.