UFC prime middleweight grappler Khamzat Chimaev has been concerned in a number of the most enjoyable moments in latest reminiscence. Along with his monstrous athleticism and wrestling means on the highest stage we now have seen in MMA, we’re in for an explosive and dominant affair at any time when he fights. So at present, we will likely be trying again on a few of his work in anticipation of his bout towards Dricus Du Plessis.
Khamzat Chimaev’s most important wins so as!
5. One punch for Gerald Meerschart
Khamzat Chimaev confronted Gerald Meerschart in 2020, again when he was in a position to efficiently swap between welterweight and middleweight in fast succession. This led to his matchup towards harmful BJJ specialist Gerald Meeschart. The 2 engaged in trash speak about who the higher grappler was and debated wrestling vs. BJJ. Nonetheless, their battle didn’t contain grappling, as Khamzat Chimaev knocked out Gerald Meerschart in a single punch!
This battle would age fairly nicely for Chimaev, as Meerschart is now the middleweight file holder for having essentially the most submissions within the division’s historical past. This can be a smaller feather in Chimaev’s cap, however one that’s noticeable.
4. Rolling over Kevin Holland.
In 2022, excessive drama was ample within the lead-up to UFC 279, as Chimaev would infamously miss weight by over 7 lbs for his major occasion battle towards Nate Diaz. This led to the entire card having last-minute modifications in matchups. With Khamzat Chimaev now dealing with off towards heavy-handed BJJ black belt Kevin Holland who was initially purported to face Daniel Rodriguez.
This modification could be a fast and dominant end by Chimaev as he would begin the battle along with his signature blitz takedown from almost midway throughout the octagon and in lower than half a spherical, would submit Holland with an extremely tight Brabo choke. Making a harmful fighter who was as soon as ranked within the prime 10 at middleweight look simple for Chimaev.
3. Beating welterweight nice Kumaru Usman.
Initially slated to face Paul Costa at UFC 294 in a really hyped match, as there was a beef between the 2 up to now. Harm would sideline Paulo Costa, and to come back to save lots of the day could be former Welterweight champion Kumaru Usman. Regardless of the foremost lack of preparation, folks nonetheless thought Usman would be capable of Khamzat a troublesome time within the grappling division. Nonetheless, Khamzat Chimaev would present how horrifying his grappling actually is.
He would dominate Usman within the wrestling division, within the first spherical we hardly ever see, as even NCAA Division 1 All-American Colby Covington struggled to take him down. However Chimaev confirmed how his high-level wrestling and athletic items make him a nightmare matchup for anybody. Usman must use desperation strikes to keep away from a detailed rear bare choke by Chimaev.
The second and third rounds, nonetheless, gave us an enormous look into how Khamzat Chimaev may carry out within the 2nd and third rounds, by which Chimaev was far much less lively along with his wrestling than he was within the first and confirmed that he was, in reality, beatable. Many believed this battle to be adraw as Usman gave him a terrific battle within the latter two rounds.
Regardless, the truth that Khamzat Chimaev, for one, made one of many biggest welterweights in UFC historical past appear like he didn’t belong in there, particularly when Usman is a adorned wrestler himself. It exhibits how actually terrifying and overwhelming Khamzat Chimaev might be on the bottom.
2. Going to warfare with Gilbert Burns
In his final battle within the welterweight division, towards on the time 2nd ranked welterweight Gilbert Burns. In a battle the place Chimaev was an enormous favourite towards the previous title challenger. This battle could be the primary time in Kahmzat Chimaev’s entire profession that his opponent would give him insane issues. As Chimaev confirmed nice respect for Burns’ submission grappling, as he was a 4 world champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. So his submission functionality couldn’t be missed.
This could result in a stand-up, Chimaev dropping Burns within the first spherical. Nonetheless, within the second spherical, Burns could be the primary man to noticeably damage Chimaev as he would rock and drop Chimaev for the primary time in his dominant profession. The 2 would have interaction in an absolute warfare with, Chimaev popping out on prime, managing to outstrike Gilbert Burns within the third spherical and win the match.
In a battle between dominant grapplers, Khamzat Chimaev confirmed his coronary heart and proved that he’s not simply an unbelievable hammer, but additionally an excellent nail. As he didn’t break down on the first signal of main adversity, and really a lot confirmed his warrior spirit on this grueling battle. It’s only a disgrace that chimaev was by no means in a position to make welterweight efficiently once more. As he was pressured to maneuver as much as middleweight on account of these points.
5. Killing a legend in Robert Whittaker.
When Robert Whittaker simply knocked out Khamzat Chimaev’s former rival Ikram Aliskerov, folks had been shocked. Aliskerov was a extremely touted wrestling prospect with related abilities to Chimaev. So Whittaker making fast work of him made folks actually consider that when the 2 fought at UFC 308. That Whittaker would trigger huge issues for Khamzat.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 26: (L-R) Khamzat Chimaev of Russia secures a submission towards Robert Whittaker of New Zealand in a middleweight battle through the UFC 308 occasion at Etihad Area on October 26, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photograph by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Khamzat would fully shut down that dialog, as Chimaev imposed his will on the middleweight nice and brutally submitted him with a face crank. That truly broke Whittaker’s enamel and even dislocated his jaw—an extremely stunning and violent flip of occasions. Fan favourite Robert Whittaker, shedding this brutally often doesn’t sit nicely with followers, given how shut he’s often to title rivalry, just for it to be ripped away from him once more.
Nonetheless, For Chimaev it was one more displaying of how terrifying and dominant his wrestling means might be even towards a person like Whittaker, who has gone toe to toe with almost each harmful middleweight. For Chimaev to defeat him so shortly and violently is genuinely stunning for followers. And an unbelievable show of dominance for the person who could be a future champion.
Good Luck Dricus Du Plessis.
