The query of Khamzat Chimaev’s subsequent struggle has sparked a debate amongst former UFC fighters turned analysts. Chael Sonnen and Daniel Cormier have voiced contrasting opinions on whether or not the undefeated phenom is prepared for a title shot or ought to face rising star Bo Nickal.
Subsequent for Khamzat Chimaev?
Former UFC title contender Chael Sonnen believes the UFC ought to match Khamzat Chimaev in opposition to Bo Nickal, a fellow undefeated prospect, as a substitute of instantly pushing him towards a championship alternative.
“Chimaev’s undefeated. Bo’s undefeated. Chimaev’s good with the wrestling. Bo’s good with the wrestling,” Sonnen mentioned on a podcast. “Chimaev’s got a bunch of fans, and Bo’s an up-and-comer and a future title contender. Check, check, and check for Bo. I don’t know why we’re keeping them apart. When you’ve got guys under contract, make the fights you can make while you can make them. Those contracts exhaust and run out when you try to build a fight too slowly.”
Bo Nickal, a three-time NCAA wrestling champion, has been on a meteoric rise within the middleweight division since his UFC debut in March 2023. With an ideal 4-0 document within the UFC, together with three finishes, Nickal’s performances have positioned him as one of the crucial promising abilities within the sport.
Alternatively, former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier argues that Chimaev’s latest dominance justifies an instantaneous title shot.
“Fill in whoever is the middleweight champion. It’s going to either be [Sean] Strickland or [Dricus Du Plessis],” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “One of those two guys needs to fight Khamzat Chimaev. We have got to know, right? It’s too hard to live in the unknown for this long. … He beat Robert Whittaker—that’s enough for me. When you can do what he did to Rob, that’s enough. Give me Chimaev. Give me the DDP-Strickland winner.”
Khamzat Chimaev debuted within the UFC in 2020 and has remained undefeated with a document of 7-0. Recognized for his grappling and relentless aggression, he not too long ago secured back-to-back victories over Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker. His dominant first-round submission win in opposition to Whittaker has additional fueled requires a title shot.
