The RAF 10 press conference in St. Louis featured one of the most anticipated matchups on the card, with Khamzat Chimaev and Dillon Danis sharing the stage ahead of their main event wrestling match.
During the conference, former UFC star Ben Askren was also in attendance. Danis immediately seized the opportunity to call out Askren, revisiting a matchup he believes should have happened years ago.
“I don’t want to talk s**t to you,” Danis said. “But you know you avoid this match for a long time. You took Belal Muhammad over me who’s way easier?”
His comments were directed at Askren, who has been on a road to recovery after a life-threatening battle with pneumonia that resulted in a double lung transplant. Askren has since returned to public appearances and is even scheduled to compete against Belal Muhammad at RAF 11 next month.
“I can’t go at you because I’m happy you’re doing well,” Danis said. “I don’t want to beat you down than you already have been.”
While taking another shot at Askren, Danis pointed to Askren’s infamous 2019 loss to Jorge Masvidal. During the match, Askren was knocked out with a flying knee just five seconds into their bout at UFC 239, a finish that remains the fastest knockout in UFC history.
“But at least, you know, Khamzat has taken hard matches. Arman has taken older guys in easy matches. So I’m the only one that’s undefeated up here. Khamzat has a loss. Arman has a loss. So you have a loss. You have a lot of losses. You have the fastest loss in history.”
Danis concluded by giving credit to Chimaev for accepting the matchup.
“So actually, I’m excited. Khamzat, I respect him for taking such a hard match. And I’m excited.”
Later, a reporter asked both men if they had anything positive to say about one another. Danis initially offered respect before quickly steering the conversation back toward his usual brand of trash talk.
“I respect the Chechen people, you know, the Dagestanis, they like to jump in groups and they like to bully people,” Danis said. “And, you know, they’re kind of like that, but I do respect the Chechen athletes.”
He continued by praising Chimaev for accepting the match.
“And, you know, I respect Khamzat for taking this fig ht. He didn’t have to, you know, he was a world champion. He’s a UFC champion. I don’t think he lost that fig ht in his respect. I think he’s a way better athlete than Strickland.”
Danis wrapped up his answer by reiterating his respect.
“And, yeah, I mean, I respect the Chechen people. So, yeah, respect to him.”
