UFC high middleweight grappler Khamzat Chimaev has been concerned in a number of the most fun moments in current reminiscence. Along with his monstrous athleticism and wrestling skill on the highest degree we have now seen in MMA, we’re in for an explosive and dominant affair every time he fights. So at present, we shall be trying again on a few of his work in anticipation of his bout in opposition to 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 capable of efficiently swap between welterweight and middleweight in fast succession. This led to his matchup in opposition to harmful BJJ specialist Gerald Meeschart. The 2 engaged in trash discuss 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 properly for Chimaev, as Meerschart is now the middleweight file holder for having essentially the most submissions within the division’s historical past. It is a smaller feather in Chimaev’s cap, however one that’s noticeable.
4. Rolling over Kevin Holland.
In 2022, excessive drama was plentiful within the lead-up to UFC 279, as Chimaev would infamously miss weight by over 7 lbs for his essential occasion battle in opposition to Nate Diaz. This led to the entire card having last-minute modifications in matchups. With Khamzat Chimaev now going through off in opposition to heavy-handed BJJ black belt Kevin Holland who was initially alleged to face Daniel Rodriguez.
This alteration 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 high 10 at middleweight look straightforward 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 previously. Damage would sideline Paulo Costa, and to return 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 to Khamzat a troublesome time within the grappling division. Nonetheless, Khamzat Chimaev would present how horrifying his grappling really 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 presents 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, nevertheless, gave us an enormous look into how Khamzat Chimaev may carry out within the 2nd and third rounds, through which Chimaev was far much less energetic along with his wrestling than he was within the first and confirmed that he was, actually, 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 seem like he didn’t belong in there, particularly when Usman is a embellished wrestler himself. It exhibits how really terrifying and overwhelming Khamzat Chimaev might be on the bottom.
2. Going to struggle with Gilbert Burns
In his final battle within the welterweight division, in opposition to on the time 2nd ranked welterweight Gilbert Burns. In a battle the place Chimaev was a large favourite in opposition to 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 ignored.
This is able to result in a stand-up, Chimaev dropping Burns within the first spherical. Nonetheless, within the second spherical, Burns could be the primary man to significantly harm Chimaev as he would rock and drop Chimaev for the primary time in his dominant profession. The 2 would have interaction in an absolute struggle with, Chimaev popping out on high, 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 capable of make welterweight efficiently once more. As he was compelled to maneuver as much as middleweight resulting from these points.
5. Killing a legend in Robert Whittaker.
When Robert Whittaker simply knocked out Khamzat Chimaev’s former rival Ikram Aliskerov, folks have been surprised. 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.
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 tooth and even dislocated his jaw—an extremely stunning and violent flip of occasions. Fan favourite Robert Whittaker, dropping this brutally normally doesn’t sit properly with followers, given how shut he’s normally to title competition, 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 skill might be even in opposition to a person like Whittaker, who has gone toe to toe with almost each harmful middleweight. For Chimaev to defeat him so rapidly 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.
