UFC's intimidating prospect wants to fight 'white boy' American fighter Colby Covington

• Khamzat Chimaev returns Saturday to the UFC Octagon for the first time in a year.
• The unbeaten super prospect will climb the ranks with a win over Li Jingliang.

ABU DHABI - UFC's intimidating prospect Khamzat Chimaev wants to fight "white boy" American welterweight Colby Covington.

Unbeaten in nine pro-MMA bouts, Chimaev returns Saturday to the UFC Octagon for the first time in a year as he had to recover from a case of long COVID that left him coughing up blood and thinking he might die.

Chimaev fights Li Jingliang on the main card of UFC 267, which takes place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, and spent fight week this week telling Insider and other reporters that he wanted to eat his opponent.

The 27-year-old has ambitions of becoming the champion in his division. To do that, he must defeat the current ruler Kamaru Usman, 34, who he says might be getting too old to continue wearing the crown.

"He doesn't have so much time now, but I'm coming for him before he goes," Chimaev told UFC Arabia.

The fighter continued: "I will be the best fighter in this game, and when I finish, I want to be remembered like the best fighter in this world, pound-for-pound No. 1, and take the belt. As many as possible, maybe two, maybe three."

One week after Chimaev and Jingliang's fight, Usman will defend his title against Covington at UFC 268, at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Usman has already beaten Covington once, breaking his jaw. So it may be unlikely Covington can score revenge.

However, if he does, Chimaev has no problem fighting him, too.

"He's stupid American bullshit boy, and we'll beat him too," Chimaev said to Red Corner MMA.

"Hey, white boy, I'm coming for you too, bro."

Chimaev's upcoming fight with Jingliang, and the entire UFC 267 main card, will be broadcast on ESPN+ in the US and BT Sport 2 in the UK.