Islam Makhachev claimed he could choke out a gorilla weeks before MMA fighter’s viral ‘chimp fight’ stunt

Islam Makhachev told a reporter that he feels he could choke out a gorilla weeks before the discussion broke the internet.

On Friday night, amateur fighter Cole Johnson claimed to have tricked a million fans into believing that he was going to take on a chimp in a bizarre and dangerous stunt. Luckily, it was all a hoax and he ended up laughing off the entire thing on social media.

MMA fighter Cole Johnson believes he could beat up a full-grown chimpanzee and he's ready to prove it.

Makhachev was first to the idea, though, telling Complex back in July that he believes his skills are such that he could defeat a gorilla despite its ferocious power and size. The two-weight UFC champion comes from Dagestan, where his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov is known to have wrestled bears.

While attending the Zuffa Boxing show in New York City this summer, Islam Makhachev spoke to Complex Sports’ Matthew Welty. He answered a number of questions, and one that is returning to virality regards the biggest animal he claims he could beat.

There is a consensus that a human being would be easily ripped limb from limb by a gorilla or a chimp for a variety of obvious scientific reasons. However, Makhachev was confident that he could make one submit or go to sleep

“A gorilla? I can choke,” he giggled. “If I close the D’Arce, the gorilla is also going to sleep.” Makhachev has used his D’Arce to brutal effect in world title fights with Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano during his legendary lightweight reign.