By Philip O’Connor

(Reuters) -After Khamzat Chimaev burst onto the MMA scene in 2020 with a flurry of fast, violent stoppages that suggested a champion-in-waiting, he finally gets his shot at UFC gold when he takes on incumbent Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in Chicago on Saturday.

The Chechen-born 31-year-old, who started his professional career in Sweden before moving to the United Arab Emirates, was long seen as an unstoppable force until his career was disrupted by illness and visa issues.

Saturday’s showdown will see Chimaev put his unbeaten record on the line against the unorthodox South African.

“I think he’s ready, I’m ready, just going in, fireworks,” Chimaev told a media conference on Thursday that saw his opponent roundly booed by members of the public in attendance. “I’ve com

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