On Saturday, Chimaev lastly did what so many thought he would do years in the past and claimed UFC gold, dominating Dricus du Plessis with probably the most spectacular title challenger performances in years. Discover I mentioned “spectacular” as a result of loads of individuals had been fairly sad with “Borz” after his safety-first method to the bout however hey, protection wins championships. Chimaev is now the middleweight champion, and appears poised for a probably nice run, so let’s speak about all issues UFC 319.
“Is a part of the MMA fanbase overexaggerating by calling Khamzat boring? What could be your response to these calling for a guidelines change?”
MMA followers are sometimes liable to hyperbole, and on this occasion, they most actually are being ridiculous by calling Chimaev boring. However on the identical time, that battle actually wasn’t a riveting affair, and don’t let any former UFC champions disgrace you into believing it was.
Prefer it or not, battle sports activities are an leisure enterprise. Sure, successful is an important factor, nevertheless it’s not the one factor. This battle was one of many few this 12 months that broke via to a broader viewers than the hardcore MMA fanbase — I had normie mates asking about this one — and the expectation was both we’d see one thing extremely violent or a barnburner of a battle, possibly each. As a substitute we acquired a dominant efficiency the place the man who received made zero critical submission makes an attempt and solely landed 37 vital strikes. Solely a complete contrarian goes to attempt to argue that was a great viewing expertise.
So yeah, the battle was a stinker. Spectacular? Completely. However not a great vibe. However that doesn’t imply Chimaev is a boring fighter, it means he had a boring battle. Each fighter — aside from Justin Gaethje — throws out a clunker or two every now and then, and champions are inclined to do it much more usually as protection turns into a precedence. However for the remainder of Chimaev’s performances, you wouldn’t name the person boring, and he deserves the advantage of the doubt that that is the anomaly, not the brand new regular.
As for altering the principles, I really could be supportive of a rule clarification that prompted referees to be extra aggressive about standups. For a very long time I used to be in opposition to that as I had the very lame hipster take of “there aren’t standups in actual fights, derrrrrr” however that’s simply foolish. Sports activities are leisure and in nearly all of them there are guidelines to advertise motion, ESPECIALLY in wrestling. Go watch some wrestling and also you’ll see refs throw warnings extremely rapidly to ensure the tempo is excessive. I might be veyr a lot in favor of a extra sturdy standup coverage coming into.
Not that it could’ve matter right here. DDP would’ve simply gotten taken down 20 instances as an alternative of 12.
“After seeing that dominant crucifixion repetition, who do you see even giving Khamzat a aggressive battle, outdoors of possibly Kamaru, and Gilbert Burns, I really feel just like the grappling lags to date behind Borz, we may see an Anderson Silva stage of Achievement/dominance.”
Heading into UFC 319, I assumed Dricus du Plessis was probably the most tough matchup for Chimaev at 185 for lots of causes, and that’s one in every of my worst takes in a very long time. Now, in the event that they rematched, I believe DDP may do higher, however after watching the battle just a few instances, the distinction in athleticism was SHOCKING and that’s not going anyplace. Go watch it again. Sure, Chimaev was lightyears forward of him in technical wrestling, however even when DDP would really defend a shot try, Chimaev merely teleported onto his hips once more as a result of Dricus was transferring so gradual.
So when you’re going to compete with Khamzat you could have to have the ability to both mitigate his grappling benefit or even be a superior athlete, ideally each. Fortuitously for him, not plenty of guys at middleweight fulfill even a kind of wants, a lot much less each.
That being mentioned, we’ve seen Chimaev had onerous fights earlier than, and accomplish that with smaller males. This occurs each time a fighter wins, we wish to crown them the GOAT earlier than they really do the work. This sport is affected by “Oh My God, He’ll By no means Lose” guys who then fell off a cliff. It’s what makes it so compelling.
The rising consensus appears to be that of the present contenders, Anthony Hernandez, AKA “Fluffy” has the perfect likelihood as a result of he’s additionally an excellent grappler and he has the cardio superpower to win within the championship rounds. Frankly, I get the argument however I’m unsure I’m bought, primarily as a result of we don’t see Fluffy on his again that a lot, and he’s gonna be there in opposition to Chimaev.
For me, there are two choices — three if Caio Borralho nukes Nassourdine Imavov, then I’ll legit be very intrigued by that matchup — and solely one in every of them that I really be ok with. The primary is Reiner de Ridder, who would in all probability get blown up in 9 out of 10 Khamzat fights as a result of like DDP, he’s not a terrific athlete. However in that tenth battle, RDR’s clinch work and knees to the physique may make life robust on Chimaev standing, and he’s a a lot higher defensive grappler than DDP. He’s additionally monumental, which counts for one thing.
The one I really suppose I’d choose although is unlikely to ever occur: Alex Pereira. Folks have this concept that Alex Pereira can’t wrestle or grappler as a result of “Izzy took him down!” however yeah, that’s how that works. Once you aren’t anticipating your kickboxing opponent to go for a takedown, it lands. Pereira has been fairly good at defending takedowns in recent times, he’s gigantic for 185, and he chews Chimaev up on the toes. If “Poatan” returned to 185, I believe I’d choose him to win.
“What have we realized from Aaron Pico, Patchy Combine, and Patricio Pitbull all dropping their UFC debuts? Is it that the UFC competitors is ranges above different organizations? Is it jitters from premiering beneath the intense lights on MMA’s largest stage?“
It’s neither of these issues. It’s that MMA is a tough rattling sport, and the margins are tiny.
After Pico acquired bolted by Lerone Murphy within the co-main occasion, I actually noticed some chatter concerning the UFC jitters, however I merely don’t purchase that. Pico has fought in entrance of main crowds earlier than, and he was principally groomed from beginning to be right here. The brilliant lights didn’t get to him, Lerone Murphy did. And Murphy is a superb featherweight. The one factor I take from that battle is Murphy is sweet and Pico nonetheless hasn’t overwhelmed an objectively good fighter in his profession.
As for Patchy and Pitbull, Pitbull is a number of years previous his prime and fought a Prime 10 dude. That occurs. And Patchy? Properly, I don’t have solutions on that one. He regarded like trash, however that may very well be the truth that he’d been out for a very long time and took a tough battle on shortish discover.
Additionally, the concept competitors is ranges above doesn’t actually maintain water. Sure, many of the finest fighters on the earth are within the UFC, however there are nonetheless nice fighters elsewhere. Folks mentioned this about Pleasure and Strikeforce and WEC means again within the day, and in every occasion these fighters came to visit and received titles. Hell, Kayla Harrison came to visit and he or she received the belt this 12 months!
All these losses inform me is that Aaron Pico has some elementary flaws in his recreation (chin isn’t ok for the type he fights), Pitbull is outdated, and Patchy could be the following Will Brooks.
Thanks for studying and because of everybody who despatched in tweets (Xs?)! Do you could have any burning questions on issues at the very least considerably associated to fight sports activities? Then you definitely’re in luck as a result of you possibly can ship your tweets to me, @JedKMeshew, and I’ll reply all the great ones! It doesn’t matter in the event that they’re topical or insane, simply as long as they’re good. Thanks once more, and see y’all subsequent week.
