Khamzat Chimaev
Borz
United Arab Emirates
Easily wins middleweight crown
Chimaev won the middleweight championship on Saturday, defeating Dricus Du Plessis via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44) at UFC 319 in Chicago, Illinois.
ANALYSIS
Those scorecards were kind to Du Plessis, as Chimaev was in control of every minute of this fight until the latter stages of Round 5. The numbers for this one scarcely seem real, as "Borz" outlanded the former champion 529 to 45 in total strikes, notching 12 of 17 takedowns and 21:40 of control time. Chimaev brought the fight to the floor within the first minute of each round, trapping Du Plessis in a crucifix or peppering him with strikes from back control. This will likely go down as the most comprehensive victory we've ever seen in a title fight, as the then-dominant champion had no answers for Chimaev on the ground. It was so dominant that it was almost boring to watch, but Chimaev would still go home with a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts. The question now becomes, who can pose a challenge for the champion going forward? While we have seen him show vulnerabilities against high-level BJJ players and wrestlers, it's not clear that any fighter in the division is strong enough in other areas to pose much of a threat. Chimaev also seemed to keep his cardio deep into this fight, which is bad news for any fighter banking on outlasting him down the stretch. He moves to 15-0-0 in professional MMA as a result of the victory.
Those scorecards were kind to Du Plessis, as Chimaev was in control of every minute of this fight until the latter stages of Round 5. The numbers for this one scarcely seem real, as "Borz" outlanded the former champion 529 to 45 in total strikes, notching 12 of 17 takedowns and 21:40 of control time. Chimaev brought the fight to the floor within the first minute of each round, trapping Du Plessis in a crucifix or peppering him with strikes from back control. This will likely go down as the most comprehensive victory we've ever seen in a title fight, as the then-dominant champion had no answers for Chimaev on the ground. It was so dominant that it was almost boring to watch, but Chimaev would still go home with a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts. The question now becomes, who can pose a challenge for the champion going forward? While we have seen him show vulnerabilities against high-level BJJ players and wrestlers, it's not clear that any fighter in the division is strong enough in other areas to pose much of a threat. Chimaev also seemed to keep his cardio deep into this fight, which is bad news for any fighter banking on outlasting him down the stretch. He moves to 15-0-0 in professional MMA as a result of the victory.
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Will challenge Du Plessis for title
Chimaev will face Dricus Du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 319 on Aug. 16, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Chimaev defeated Robert Whittaker via submission at UFC 308 on Oct. 26 in the biggest fight of his career to date, but now he faces an even bigger challenge in Du Plessis. Chimaev's cardio and striking skills are legitimate concerns, but he's among the best grapplers we've ever seen inside the Octagon, and he should have a shot at Du Plessis as long as he can impose his style against one of the most complete fighters across all categories of this sport. Chimaev is 8-0 to start his UFC career.
Chimaev defeated Robert Whittaker via submission at UFC 308 on Oct. 26 in the biggest fight of his career to date, but now he faces an even bigger challenge in Du Plessis. Chimaev's cardio and striking skills are legitimate concerns, but he's among the best grapplers we've ever seen inside the Octagon, and he should have a shot at Du Plessis as long as he can impose his style against one of the most complete fighters across all categories of this sport. Chimaev is 8-0 to start his UFC career.
Dominates in biggest fight to date
Chimaev defeated Robert Whittaker via submission (face crank) at 3:34 of Round 1 at UFC 308 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Whittaker is one of the best middleweights in UFC history and a no-doubt Hall of Famer, and Chimaev made him look completely and totally irrelevant. The explosiveness of Khamzat from a grappling perspective is elite. He got Whittaker to the ground immediately and dominated him on the mat. Rob miraculously worked his way back up, only to have Chimaev immediately toss him back down. Khamzat is so strong that he apparently dislocated Whittaker's jaw with a half-hearted face crank. That finish would go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Chimaev's cardio and striking skills are legitimate concerns, but he's one of the best grapplers we've ever seen inside the Octagon. He can't be denied any longer. Health permitting, we are almost certainly looking at a UFC Middleweight Championship fight between Chimaev and title holder Dricus du Plessis at some point in the next 12 months.
Whittaker is one of the best middleweights in UFC history and a no-doubt Hall of Famer, and Chimaev made him look completely and totally irrelevant. The explosiveness of Khamzat from a grappling perspective is elite. He got Whittaker to the ground immediately and dominated him on the mat. Rob miraculously worked his way back up, only to have Chimaev immediately toss him back down. Khamzat is so strong that he apparently dislocated Whittaker's jaw with a half-hearted face crank. That finish would go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Chimaev's cardio and striking skills are legitimate concerns, but he's one of the best grapplers we've ever seen inside the Octagon. He can't be denied any longer. Health permitting, we are almost certainly looking at a UFC Middleweight Championship fight between Chimaev and title holder Dricus du Plessis at some point in the next 12 months.
Reschedules Whittaker bout
Chimaev will take on Robert Whittaker in a middleweight clash at UFC 308 on Oct. 26, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Chimaev has had a flawless start to his UFC career, as he's a spotless 7-0-0 since joining the promotion in 2020. His opponent Whittaker is significantly more experienced, but Chimaev has two inches of both height and wingspan on him. There should be plenty of intrigue surrounding this bout between two excellent fighters that was once called off in Saudi Arabia.
Chimaev has had a flawless start to his UFC career, as he's a spotless 7-0-0 since joining the promotion in 2020. His opponent Whittaker is significantly more experienced, but Chimaev has two inches of both height and wingspan on him. There should be plenty of intrigue surrounding this bout between two excellent fighters that was once called off in Saudi Arabia.
Out of UFC Saudi Arabia
Chimaev will no longer fight Robert Whittaker on June 22 in Saudi Arabia, MMAJunkie.com reports. Ikram Aliskerov will take his place in the bout.
ANALYSIS
UFC President Dana White said that Chimaev is "violently ill", a status rendering the middleweight both unable to fight next Sunday and out indefinitely. In place of him is Ikram Aliskerov, who Chimaev defeated before joining the UFC. Yet again, health has been a significant problem for the undefeated middleweight. Among his many fight withdrawals, this is now the most brutal, as defeating Whittaker could have solidified him a shot at the UFC Middleweight Championship.
UFC President Dana White said that Chimaev is "violently ill", a status rendering the middleweight both unable to fight next Sunday and out indefinitely. In place of him is Ikram Aliskerov, who Chimaev defeated before joining the UFC. Yet again, health has been a significant problem for the undefeated middleweight. Among his many fight withdrawals, this is now the most brutal, as defeating Whittaker could have solidified him a shot at the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Scheduled for Whittaker in June
Chimaev (wrist) will take on Robert Whittaker in a middleweight matchup at the UFC event scheduled for June 22 in Saudi Arabia, according to UFC President Dana White.
ANALYSIS
Chimaev last competed in October, when he took a majority decision from former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman but suffered a torn hand ligament in the process, which would ultimately require surgery. Given the announcement, Chimaev will be healthy enough to compete by this summer and face another former champion in Whittaker in what will presumably be a title eliminator at 185 pounds. Chimaev will look to employ a wrestling-heavy game plan against Whittaker, who sports a very respectable 82 percent takedown defense. "Borz" will likely be at a slight disadvantage on the feet, so getting this one to the mat will be his best path to victory.
Chimaev last competed in October, when he took a majority decision from former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman but suffered a torn hand ligament in the process, which would ultimately require surgery. Given the announcement, Chimaev will be healthy enough to compete by this summer and face another former champion in Whittaker in what will presumably be a title eliminator at 185 pounds. Chimaev will look to employ a wrestling-heavy game plan against Whittaker, who sports a very respectable 82 percent takedown defense. "Borz" will likely be at a slight disadvantage on the feet, so getting this one to the mat will be his best path to victory.