Khamzat Chimaev believes he would breeze past Leon Edwards.

The 13-0 UFC star previously appeared to be on a collision course with ‘Rocky’ – but things have drastically changed for both men in 2024.

Chimaev has been chasing UFC titles in two different weight classesGetty

Of course, Edwards is no longer the welterweight champion after suffering a dominant decision defeat to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 in July.

Chimaev has opted to chase a shot at UFC middleweight gold this year.

The former 170lb contender is set to face Robert Whittaker in what appears to be title eliminator at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 5.

Chimaev has ranked Edwards, Whittaker and other MMA stars from 1 to 10, with 1 being an easy fight and 10 being a very difficult fight.

The conversation started with two former UFC middleweight champions, Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya, who he viewed as roughly the same level of difficulty.

“I think five,” Chimaev said when his interviewer mentioned Strickland.

“He started to talk too much. He knows already what I did with him in the gym. They say sparring is different from fighting, but it’s the same s***.”

Chimaev added: “Adesanya? Five or six, too.

“Of course, I’m going to catch him, take him down and squeeze his head off.”

Chimaev thinks his upcoming opponent will be the easiest of 185lb fights.

Chimaev views Adesanya and Strickland as fairly difficult fightsGetty

He doesn’t think Edwards would give him much trouble

“Three or four,” he said about Whittaker.

“I thought he was a good guy, but he’s started to lie now. I don’t like that guy.”

With Edwards, it’s nothing personal, the Russian just thinks he’s the much better fighter.

“Maybe two or three,” Chimaev said when asked to rank Edwards.

“That should be easy. I’ll smash his face.”

Chimaev thinks surging welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov would give him a much better fight than the recently usurped ex-champion.

“I’d say five,” he said about the 18-0 fighter from Kazakhstan.

“He’s a good striker and has a good chin as well – but no wrestling.”

The final potential opponent offered was UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, with the caveat that their fight would take place in the street instead of the Octagon.

“Nine,” Chimaev said before joking about his tactic for the unlikely matchup.

He added with a chuckle: “I would shoot him from far away, man. Don’t make problems or trouble.”

Chimaev will face Whittaker at UFC 307Getty

The only question Chimaev dodged was one about a handicap bout with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov and his protégé Islam Makhachev, who is the current lightweight titleholder.

“That question is weird because nobody fights with two guys in the UFC,” he said.

There’s a good chance Chimaev could face all the fighters mentioned – besides Jones and Khabib – as he continues his journey from prospect to superstar.

First things first, he’s got to get by Whittaker in a couple of weeks’ time.