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Tag: Khamzat Chimaev

  • Khamzat Chimaev Called Mentally Weak by Sean Strickland: “You’re a b****”

    Khamzat Chimaev Called Mentally Weak by Sean Strickland: “You’re a b****”

    Former UFC champion Sean Strickland has gone after Khamzat Chimaev ahead of the latter’s UFC 319 title fight against Dricus du Plessis.

    Later this month, Khamzat Chimaev will challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship. It’s a fight that’s been a long time coming, and it’s one that many believe ‘Borz’ will win. As we know, though, du Plessis is an unpredictable guy, and he’s been able to overcome the odds on multiple occasions over the years.

    In two of his UFC title fights, DDP was able to defeat Sean Strickland to claim – and then successfully retain – the middleweight crown. Khamzat Chimaev has yet to compete against either of the two men in a sanctioned bout, but he’s certainly been back and forth with both quite a lot over the years.

    In a recent interview, Sean Strickland didn’t hold back when giving his honest thoughts and opinions on Khamzat Chimaev.

    Sean Strickland goes after Khamzat Chimaev

    “Chimaev is just a f*ng c*nt. I was there when he retired from COVID. I was training with him. There’s a video of me — I was like, ‘Oh, you’re so good, you’re better than everybody,’ like I’m being sarcastic.

    “You can pick high-level UFC fighters, but you’re picking 1–1 because you think he’s the same height as your opponent. No dude, you’re picking him because you’re a bitch, dude. Mentally, he’s just a weak man.”

    Who knows, maybe we’ll get the chance to see these two square off at some point in the future.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Highlights Surprising Detail From Khamzat Chimaev’s Training Ahead Of UFC 319

    Arman Tsarukyan Highlights Surprising Detail From Khamzat Chimaev’s Training Ahead Of UFC 319

    Arman Tsarukyan has revealed the intensity of Khamzat Chimaev’s demanding training routine.

    Chimaev is slated to headline UFC 319 on August 16 at the United Center in Chicago, where he will challenge reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis for the title.

    “Borz” has faced a string of cancellations and setbacks, with medical issues and unforeseen hurdles severely limiting his activity. As a result, he has competed just five times in the Octagon since September 2020. He has previously opened up about his inactivity, attributing it to pushing himself too hard in training.

    According to the undefeated Russian, extreme overtraining left his body drained, ultimately compromising his immune system and making him more susceptible to illness. Having been part of Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC 319 training camp, Tsarukyan understands the toll such intensity can take.

    Image: @arm_011/Instagram

    Arman Tsarukyan Shares Khamzat Chimaev Hired Coach To Prevent Overtraining

    During a recent interview with Kamil Gadzhiev, Arman Tsarukyan weighed in on Khamzat Chimaev’s intense training habits. According to the UFC lightweight contender, “Borz” often entered fight night far from his peak, having drained himself through relentless overtraining.

    To address the issue, Chimaev’s team has now brought in a dedicated coach tasked with managing his workload and closely monitoring his recovery to ensure he performs at his best when it matters most.

    “Khamzat’s never at 100% on fight night because he constantly overtrains,” Tsarukyan said. “After sparring, he always goes to work the bag, lift weights, etc. He’s one of those guys you have to tell when it’s time to stop. He’s now being tested daily to monitor his recovery. They have devices that show his recovery status every day, and if he’s in a slump, they help pull him out of it. They give him more time to relax, because when you’re overtrained, you can’t work properly in sparring. We need a guy who will control this 24/7 and stop him at the right moment so he won’t overtrain.”

    “Borz” was last seen in action at UFC 308 in October 2024, where he delivered a dominant first-round submission win over former champion Robert Whittaker. Khamzat Chimaev holds a flawless 8-0 record inside the UFC and stands at 14-0 overall, with an impressive 12 of those victories coming via stoppage.

    Khamzat Chimaev
    Image: @khamzat_chimaev/Instagram
  • Will Khamzat Chimaev Ever Fight Again if he Wins at UFC 319? Former Champion Weighs-In

    Will Khamzat Chimaev Ever Fight Again if he Wins at UFC 319? Former Champion Weighs-In

    MMA analyst Michael Bisping has given his thoughts on Din Thomas suggesting that it could be a disaster if Khamzat Chimaev becomes UFC champion.

    As we know, Khamzat Chimaev will challenge Dricus du Plessis next month for the UFC middleweight championship. It’s a fight that has been a long time coming, and it’s one that a lot of fans expect ‘Borz’ to win. Of course, this is mixed martial arts we’re talking about here, and you can never really know for sure.

    With that being said, Khamzat Chimaev’s abilities aren’t the thing in question here. We all know how good he is, but one thing that a lot of people are worried about is his ability to stay active. He hasn’t fought a whole lot in the last few years, which has more than raised a few eyebrows.

    In a recent video, Michael Bisping gave his thoughts on the aforementioned remarks made by Din Thomas.

    Michael Bisping’s view on Khamzat Chimaev as UFC champion

    “If Khamzat can beat Dricus, and that’s a big if, I’d probably lean towards Dricus.”

    “If Khamzat wins, do we trust him to fight again? That’s the question. Can he do it twice? Can he do it three times? Because we need movement in these divisions.”

    “You got to fight. You can’t sit on the sidelines. You can’t become the champion and say, ‘Right, I’m going to avoid fighting people now.’”

    “Din Thomas was talking… and he said it would be a disaster if Khamzat Chimaev ever won because he’s not reliable.”

    “If Khamzat wins, it’s a disaster. You can’t tell me that part of you isn’t thinking the fight might not actually happen.”

    “Khamzat Chimaev hasn’t been the most reliable guy. According to topology, he has pulled out of six fights.”

  • UFC Analyst Warns Why ‘It’s A Disaster’ If Khamzat Chimaev Claims Middleweight Title At UFC 319

    UFC Analyst Warns Why ‘It’s A Disaster’ If Khamzat Chimaev Claims Middleweight Title At UFC 319

    Khamzat Chimaev capturing the UFC middleweight title could spell trouble for the division, at least that’s what one analyst believes.

    Chimaev is set to challenge reigning 185-pound champion Dricus Du Plessis in the main event of UFC 319, scheduled for August 16 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

    “Borz” made an explosive entry into the UFC in July 2020, earning massive acclaim after securing three dominant victories within just 66 days, marking the fastest such streak in modern UFC history. However, the undefeated Chechen’s rise has been repeatedly stalled by medical complications and unforeseen obstacles, resulting in only five appearances inside the Octagon since September 2020.

    Now that Khamzat Chimaev is slated to compete in the biggest fight of his career, observers and critics are questioning whether he’ll successfully make it to the Octagon without complications. If he does and manages to dethrone Du Plessis, Din Thomas believes that could mark the beginning of an even bigger problem.

    Khamzat Chimaev
    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC

    Din Thomas Raises Red Flag Over Khamzat Chimaev’s Future As Potential Champion

    During a recent episode of The Bohnfire with Mike Bohn, UFC analyst Din Thomas shared his thoughts on the upcoming UFC 319 headliner between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. The UFC analyst cautioned that if “Borz” emerges as the new middleweight champion, his history of irregular appearances could halt the division’s momentum, creating a situation that, in his view, would be detrimental to the sport.

    “If Khamzat wins it’s a disaster,” Thomas said. “You can’t tell me a part of you isn’t just thinking, ‘This fight might not actually happen.’ Some of these guys habitual struggle in just making it to the dance. I’m not going to be pessimistic about it and will say he’s going to show up. But if he does show up and he’s able to win, do we trust him to be able to show up and fight again? That’s the thing.

    “Can he do it twice? Can he do it three times? Because we need movement. I hate when it’s static and there’s no movement in these divisions and in order to be movement in the divisions, the champions have to fight.”

    “Borz” last competed at UFC 308 in October 2024, where he secured a dominant first-round submission victory over former champion Robert Whittaker. Chimaev remains undefeated, boasting a perfect 8-0 record in the UFC and 14-0 overall, with an impressive 12 of those wins coming by way of finish.

    Robert Whittaker Shares Shocking Details Of Jaw Surgery After UFC 308 Loss To Khamzat Chimaev
    Image: UFC.com
  • Khamzat Chimaev’s Secret Training Will Out-Cardio Dricus Du Plessis According to Former UFC Champion

    Khamzat Chimaev’s Secret Training Will Out-Cardio Dricus Du Plessis According to Former UFC Champion

    According to former UFC champion TJ Dillashaw, Khamzat Chimaev‘s new training regime could be the difference for him against Dricus du Plessis.

    As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is one of the most talented fighters on the planet. However, one big question has always been his cardio. We all know that he’s good enough to beat the very best, but more often than not, he does so in the first couple of rounds.

    So, how is he going to prepare for someone like Dricus du Plessis who seems to have a pretty good gas tank? In a recent podcast appearance, TJ Dillashaw discussed Khamzat Chimaev’s new training.

    TJ Dillashaw’s view on Khamzat Chimaev’s new regime

    “Not only does Sam train you to be a freak of cardio, but he’s going to help Khamzat make weight the right way. His algorithms for water displacement are next level. As long as Khamzat comes in at the right weight and hydrated on Sunday, the rest is all about taking the 

    weight off safely, just like we always did in my camps.”

    “I said the reason why Chimaev wouldn’t win is because of his cardio. But when you fix the way you’re training, and train that lactic threshold so your body isn’t gassing, you can push pace and go for five rounds. If Khamzat gets his cardio right, he wins. If not, DDP is going to put him away late.”

    “You have to break yourself in practice. You’ve got to bring in enough guys to break you. If you’re not getting beat up in training, you’re not at the right spot. That’s what Khamzat needs — to be broken in the gym, so fight night is easy.”

  • Khamzat Chimaev Will Not Struggle to Finish Dricus Du Plessis According UFC Icon

    Khamzat Chimaev Will Not Struggle to Finish Dricus Du Plessis According UFC Icon

    Khamzat Chimaev will be able to pick up a finish when he battles Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319, says former UFC legend Tito Ortiz.

    As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is set to challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship in just a few short weeks. While du Plessis is certainly more than capable of retaining his title, ‘Borz’ has been on quite the rise to prominence in the last few years. He’s been backed to pick up the victory and claim the gold by a lot of people, and it’ll be interesting to see how the fight unfolds.

    For Khamzat Chimaev, it’s all about going out there and executing the perfect game plan. If he can do that, then he will be well on his way to becoming champion.

    In a recent interview, Tito Ortiz of all people weighed in on how this contest is likely to play out.

    Tito Ortiz’s view on Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland

    “I think Chimaev overwhelms him in three or four rounds. I’ve watched him; he’s so tough. He had training camp at Jackson, training with Rampage, and he’s the real deal. He can shoot a double-leg from half the cage and still take a guy down. He’s just vicious.”

    As for du Plessis, you’d have to imagine he’s just going to approach it like another day at the office. Regardless of whether he wins or loses, he’s going to put his best foot forward – which should make for one of the most intense fights of the year thus far.

  • “Kill Everybody” – Khamzat Chimaev In Last Training Camp Ahead of UFC 319

    “Kill Everybody” – Khamzat Chimaev In Last Training Camp Ahead of UFC 319

    Khamzat Chimaev is putting on the final touches of his preparations for UFC 319, where he’ll attempt to become the UFC middleweight champion.

    Chimaev took to social media to show images seen of his reported final fight camp. Chimaev is currently in Los Angeles and will soon make his way to Chicago, where UFC 319 takes place.

    Of note, it looks like he is preparing his striking and power, as the photos show him working on his knees and hitting pads.

    Khamzat Chimaev In Los Angeles For Final Camp Before UFC 319

    “Feeling great,” Chimaev posted. “We are in LA. Doing training camp now, last camp before the fight. So, coming for Chicago. Kill everybody.”

    Du Plessis, at 14-0, has taken the MMA world by storm since his UFC signing in 2020. It was then where he scored a pair of knockout victories while breaking the quickest turnaround time between UFC wins at 10 days. Chimaev would then knockout Gerald Meerschaert later that year.

    While injuries and illness have slowed him down over the last few years, Chimaev’s success hasn’t, as he’s since scored wins over Li Jinglang, Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland, Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker.

    UFC 316 takes place on Aug 16 at the United Center in Chicago. Chimaev will be competing in the main event, challenging current UFC 185-pound champion Dricus Du Plessis.

    Du Plessis has been champion since defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297, retaining against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 and in a rematch with Strickland at UFC 312.

  • UFC 318 Fighter Thinks Big UFC 319 Title Bout Will “Define the Future of” “Middleweight”

    One of the 185 pound competitors from UFC 318 has offered up his thoughts on the middleweight championship bout set to headline UFC 319 in the coming weeks. UFC 319 is headlined by middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis defending his crown against a surging title challenger in Khamzat Chimaev.

    Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev

    Appearing on Bowks Talking Bouts before his UFC 318 assignment took place, Robert Valentin covered several subjects in the pre-fight build to his clash with Ateba Gautier. When giving his thoughts on the machinations of the matchup between DDP and ‘Borz’, Valentin said,

    “So I mean, this is one of the fights that is going to define the future of the middleweight division. I think Khamzat is a guy that could bring many new aspects to the division as being a champion. Just because of his entertainment value and also the way he fights. I mean Dricus du Plessis is obviously a very good athlete, great fighter, and also an honorable champion. But I’m just thinking in terms of value in the entertainment and what the fans want from the sport right now.”

    “If Khamzat is going to win and take the belt, that’s a huge win for the fans as well. Because I think kind of the energy right now in the UFC is the people are demanding new, exciting champions and people that also fight to entertain, not just to win. In terms of that, I really hope that Khamzat is going to take the belt and give the fans an exciting performance and shake up the division again. Having a new champion is obviously always benefitting the whole division.”

    UFC 319 main event analysis cont.

    Robert Valentin continued to break down this key championship bout in his given weight category as Valentin stated,

    “In my opinion, if he becomes champion in the last maybe eight years, he’d be one of the most skilled champions in the middleweight division. Just because of his well rounded MMA game. His wrestling is obviously super dominant.”

    “Just the fact that he f***in broke Rob[ert] Whittaker’s jaw who is undoubtedly one of the most exciting champions in the middleweight division and also a very dominant champion, right. Just how he finished this fight is just incredible. So yeah, I really hope that he’s going to take the belt and bring a lot of new energy to this middleweight division.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HapRvYu44is
  • Khamzat Chimaev May Not Survive Du Plessis at UFC 319, says Reinier de Ridder

    Khamzat Chimaev May Not Survive Du Plessis at UFC 319, says Reinier de Ridder

    UFC middleweight contender Reinier de Ridder is leaning towards predicting Dricus du Plessis defeating Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319.

    As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is an absolute animal. He has already accomplished a lot of great things in mixed martial arts – perhaps most notably submitting Robert Whittaker with relative ease. As we look ahead to next month and his title showdown with Dricus du Plessis, a lot of people believe that he may well become a UFC champion, something that has been on the cards for a while in the eyes of the masses.

    With that being said, Dricus du Plessis has been overcoming the odds ever since he arrived in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. So, it goes without saying that the thought of fighting Khamzat Chimaev probably isn’t something that scares him too much. In fact, he seems to be thriving on the idea of people seeing him as the underdog heading into this one.

    In the mind of Reinier de Ridder, though, Dricus du Plessis successfully defending the belt against Khamzat Chimaev is more than a viable possibility.

    Reinier de Ridder’s view on Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev

    “I’m leaning towards Dricus Du Plessis because of experience training with both guys. I don’t see Khamzat finishing him early. I see it going late rounds.”

    Chimaev is going to approach this fight with the same intensity that he approaches all of his bouts but if this one stretches out beyond the first few rounds, it could get interesting.

  • What’s Next After UFC 318? Full Confirmed UFC 319 Main Card For Chicago On August 16

    What’s Next After UFC 318? Full Confirmed UFC 319 Main Card For Chicago On August 16

    UFC 318 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 319 in Chicago, Illinois.

    The promotion was in New Orleans last week, where the Smoothie King Center played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its seventh numbered event of the year. Of note were headline wins for Max Holloway and Paulo Costa, as well as a retirement celebration for Dustin Poirier and important victories for Daniel Rodriguez, Patricio Pitbull, and Michael Johnson.

    While the aftermath of the July 19 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the BMFs to the middleweight championship conversation.

    At UFC 319, which takes place at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 16, Dricus Du Plessis will put his middleweight title on the line against Khamzat Chimaev. Du Plessis originally won the belt from Sean Strickland at UFC 297 and has retained the gold against Israel Adesanya and Strickland, respectively, at UFC 305 and UFC 312. Chimaev earned this title shot off a violent finish of former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 last year.

    During the main card’s announcement at UFC 318, there was no listed co-main event. That is still the case as of publication time.

    Neal, Cannonier, Elliott Set The Stage For Middleweight Title Headliner At UFC 319

    Before Du Plessis and Chimaev make their way out for the middleweight title fight, several names will look to make their own statements on the main card for UFC 319.

    This includes Geoff Neal, who will be doing battle with the rising welterweight contender Carlos Prates. Neal snapped a two-fight skid his last time out, scoring a TKO win over Rafael dos Anjos in 90 seconds due to injury. Prates, of the Fighting Nerds, will look to rebound following his April loss to Paddy Pimblett — the first loss in Prates’ UFC run.

    Former middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier will also be in action, taking on Michael “Venom” Page. Like Neal, Cannonier also snapped a two-fight skid his last time out, finishing Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues in February. MVP returned to middleweight in his most recent fight, scoring a decision over Shara Magomedov at UFC Saudi Arabia in February.

    The main card is scheduled to open with Tim Elliott taking on Kai Asakura in a battle of former flyweight title challengers. This will be Elliott’s first fight in over a year-and-a-half due to injury. Elliott most recently fought in a bantamweight bout in December 2023, submitting Su Mudaerji. Asakura, the former RIZIN bantamweight champion, challenged Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title in his UFC debut at UFC 310, losing via submission.

    Those pairings have currently gotten the nod to feature on the main card over the likes of King Green, Jessica Andrade, and Edson Barboza, all of whom are expected to be featured players on the event’s preliminary card.

    See below for the UFC 319 lineup, as it stands.

    Main Card:

    • Middleweight Championship: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev
    • TBA Weight Class: TBA vs. TBA
    • Welterweight: Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates
    • Middleweight: Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page
    • Flyweight: Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura

    Preliminary Card (Bout Order TBA):

    • Lightweight: King Green vs. Diego Ferreira
    • Middleweight: Gerald Meerschaert vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
    • Women’s Strawweight: Jessica Andrade vs. Loopy Godinez
    • Lightweight: Chase Hooper vs. Alexander Hernandez
    • Lightweight: Edson Barboza vs. Drakkar Klose
    • Middleweight: Bryan Battle vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
    • Women’s Flyweight: Karine Silva vs. JJ Aldrich
  • Paulo Costa Vows To Call Out ‘Coward’ Khamzat Chimaev After UFC 318 – ‘I Want To Hurt Him’

    Paulo Costa Vows To Call Out ‘Coward’ Khamzat Chimaev After UFC 318 – ‘I Want To Hurt Him’

    Paulo Costa has no plans to let his heated rivalry with Khamzat Chimaev cool off anytime soon.

    The two fighters share a well-documented grudge that dates back years. They were slated to settle their differences at UFC 294 in October 2023, but the matchup was scrapped just under two weeks out when Costa withdrew due to surgery. Despite the cancellation, tensions never eased as the duo continued to take shots at each other through relentless social media exchanges.

    Now, after spending over a year on the sidelines, Paulo Costa is set to make his return to the Octagon this Saturday in the co-main event of UFC 318, where he’ll take on Roman Kopylov at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. However, “Borrachinha” already has his eyes set on what comes next, with a potential grudge match against Chimaev firmly on his radar.

    Paulo Costa Says Khamzat Chimaev Must Pay For DMing His Girlfriend

    Speaking to media during UFC 318 fight week, Paulo Costa addressed his ongoing feud with Khamzat Chimaev. The former middleweight title challenger made it clear he’s locked in ahead of his bout with Roman Kopylov, aiming to deliver a statement win before calling out “Borz” to finally settle their long-standing feud inside the Octagon. “Borrachinha” emphasized that he doesn’t care whether the undefeated Russian wins or loses against reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 — the fight between them needs to happen regardless.

    The Brazilian powerhouse revealed that his feud with Chimaev has become intensely personal after the “Borz” allegedly sent unsolicited messages to his girlfriend following the cancellation of their scheduled bout.

    “I want to fight [Chimaev] very badly,” Paulo Costa said. “I want to hurt him. It doesn’t matter if he won that fight or not. It doesn’t matter. We need to fight. He talk very bad things about me, in my girl’s Instagram DMs, so this is totally personal. I feel angry just to hear his name, so we need to fight. We are young, we’re going to be on line, so I’m going to do my best Saturday… I’m pretty sure I’m going to get the victory and I’m going to call his name, it doesn’t matter whether he wins or not. This fight just will not happen if he retires.”

    Costa didn’t hold back, accusing Chimaev of lacking character for sending direct messages to his partner rather than confronting him directly.

    “Not the kind of things a real man, confident man would do. Why he message her? Why he didn’t message me instead of her? Coward. He is a coward.”

    “Borrachinha” last competed at UFC 302 in June 2024, where he dropped a hard-fought split decision to former champion Sean Strickland. The loss marked another setback in what has been a challenging stretch for Costa, who has now gone just 1-4 in his last five appearances inside the Octagon.

    Paulo Costa UFC 318 callout
    Image: @borrachinhamma/Instagram
  • Fellow Middleweight Claims Khamzat Chimaev Will Retire If He Wins Middleweight Title At UFC 319

    Fellow Middleweight Claims Khamzat Chimaev Will Retire If He Wins Middleweight Title At UFC 319

    The UFC has just dealt with one champion retiring when Jon Jones seemed to hang up the gloves a few weeks ago (only to seemingly unretire in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump teasing a UFC card at the White House). But could the UFC lose a second champion to retirement during the summer?

    If Caio Borralho is to be believed, that might come to fruition at UFC 319 if Khamzat Chimaev defeats Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight championship.

    During a “Nerd Talk” segment in a recent upload to MMA Today, Borralho is in the middle of a discussion about Chimaev’s fight with DDP and how a potential fight between he and Chimaev would go down.

    “I heard somewhere some people saying that if he wins the belt, he’s going to retire,” Borralho said. “I believe it.”

    Caio Borralho Feels He Can Beat Khamzat Chimaev — As Long As Chimaev Doesn’t Retire

    Borralho did not precisely name who he heard the rumor from or where it originated; only that he’s heard “little talks” and “whispers.”

    Borralho then followed up by saying he wasn’t sure if he believed it would happen, but he hopes that Chimaev doesn’t and he ends up facing the Emirati fighter one day — potentially for the belt.

    “I think we can do a phenomenal fight,” Borralho said. “I know that I have the tools and the way to beat him. Fighting is nowadays not about being brutal only. I win all my fights with my brain, with tactics, with strategy and all that. That’s why it’s so hard to fight me because I can adapt so easy in the fight, you know?

    “And I think everybody knows that. That’s why everybody was ducking me.”

    This would not be the first time Chimaev announces retirement from the Octagon. After his impressive series of bouts in 2020 — the year of his UFC debut — against John Phillips, Rhys McKee, and Gerald Meerschaert, and his quick rise up the ranks, Chimaev appeared to announce retirement in March 2021 after complications in recovery from COVID-19.

    Chimaev would end up returning to the cage at UFC 267 that October, submitting Li Jingliang.

  • Can Anyone Survive Khamzat Chimaev’s Opening Onslaught? Undefeated UFC Star Talks UFC 319

    Can Anyone Survive Khamzat Chimaev’s Opening Onslaught? Undefeated UFC Star Talks UFC 319

    In about a month’s time, the UFC will arrive in Chicago with a middleweight championship main event for UFC 319 that features Dricus Du Plessis defending the title against Khamzat Chimaev.

    Both men in their own right have been seemingly unbeatable, as both men will enter unbeaten in their UFC tenures — and just two losses (both Du Plessis’) in the 39 fights combined between their two professional MMA careers.

    Chimaev being so dominant in most of his performances, combined with the hype around him and his fighting style, have led plenty to feel he will leave Chicago with the belt strapped around his waist. Others, however, feel Du Plessis’ own, more awkward fighting style will land him yet another surprise victory in the cage.

    When breaking down a comparison between the two’s fighting styles, another unbeaten UFC fighter, Mansur Abdul-Malik, feels Chimaev’s will get the better of DDP.

    “Khamzat comes in that first round guns blazing,” Abdul-Malik told James Lynch recently. “He does a similar thing every single fight, but that thing has not failed. So, you really can’t bet against that.”

    Mansur Abdul-Malik Predicts Khamzat Chimaev Will Defeat Dricus Du Plessis For UFC Middleweight Title At UFC 319

    If there are two things Chimaev is known for in the Octagon, it is his dominant, freestyle-based wrestling and is “smashing” ground-and-pound that he’ll use on his opponents to try and finish the fight after securing the takedown. Sometimes those takedowns will also be set up through the usage of his boxing.

    That fight style has led Chimaev not only to an undefeated UFC tenure, but also an unbeaten record in the sport, and some feel Du Plessis may struggle with that kind of pressure.

    Abdul-Malik added that he feels Chimaev also is strong in terms of the mental aspects of the game, noting a specific example with his decision win in a highly entertaining bout with former welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns.

    “[Chimaev is] tough in his own right,” Abdul-Malik said. “Look at the Gilbert Burns example. Look at his mentality. Look at the way he competes. Look at the fire that he comes with. That’s not someone that’s going to give up.”

    Despite repeated one-year layoffs the last couple of years, and time off to deal with illnesses during his Octagon tenure, Chimaev has had plenty of hype around him, with early expectations of him becoming a UFC champion — something that could become a reality in about a month at UFC 319.

    Chimaev earned his title shot off a dominant performance against former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. It should be noted that Whittaker’s only other losses at 185 in the Octagon — Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis — have each tasted middleweight gold.

    Du Plessis won the middleweight title by defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297 and retained the gold against Adesanya at UFC 305 and Strickland at UFC 312.

  • Robert Whittaker Warns Khamzat Chimaev Could Be In Danger Against Dricus Du Plessis At UFC 319

    Robert Whittaker Warns Khamzat Chimaev Could Be In Danger Against Dricus Du Plessis At UFC 319

    Robert Whittaker doubts that Khamzat Chimaev has what it takes to endure a potentially grueling clash with Dricus Du Plessis.

    Chimaev is gearing up to take on reigning middleweight champion Du Plessis in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 319, set for August 16 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

    “Borz” enters the title fight riding an undefeated wave of dominance, fueled by high expectations to claim the 185-pound crown. However, Whittaker, having shared the Octagon with both Chimaev and Du Plessis, isn’t buying into the narrative so easily.

    Robert Whittaker Predicts Trouble For Khamzat Chimaev If He Fails To Ground Dricus Du Plessis

    With just over a month to go before his first title shot, Khamzat Chimaev is already being listed as the betting favorite for his UFC 319 showdown against Dricus Du Plessis. But not everyone, including Robert Whittaker, agrees with the oddsmakers.

    In a recent interview with FOX Sports Australia, “The Reaper” argued that it’s Du Plessis, not Chimaev, who deserves to be favored. Whittaker pointed to Chimaev’s patterm of fading in longer fights, referencing his decision wins over Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman. He questioned whether “Borz” can hold up if his grappling fails against Du Plessis and the fight extends beyond three rounds, especially against such an unpredictable opponent.

    “Honestly, I have to say Dricus would be a favorite,” Whittaker said. “I think I’m leaning towards Dricus. The whole thing can be summed up – Chimaev will take him down. It’s will he finish him before he gets back up? That’s the million-dollar question because if he doesn’t finish him on the ground, I think he loses.”

    Khamzat Chimaev last competed at UFC 308 in October, where he secured a dominant first-round submission victory over Whittaker. “Borz” boasts an undefeated 8-0 record inside the Octagon, with six of those wins coming by way of finish.

    Image: @khamzat_chimaev/Instagram

  • Ian Garry: ‘Khamzat Chimaev has never faced anyone like me – I can beat anyone in this sport’

    Ian Garry: ‘Khamzat Chimaev has never faced anyone like me – I can beat anyone in this sport’

    Ian Garry wants a shot at Khamzat Chimaev. If you’re looking for someone in the UFC who isn’t afraid to stir the pot, Ian Garry is your man. The Irish welterweight has never been one to hide his ambitions, or his opinions, and now he’s set his sights on a challenge that has the MMA world buzzing: a future clash with Khamzat Chimaev.

    Ian Garry wants Khamzat Chimaev

    “I’m not afraid of anyone, and I believe I can beat everyone in this sport. If there’s a way to do it, I can find it,” Garry said in an interview with Covers.com, adding a nod to Khamzat Chimaev’s reputation but insisting, “I think Khamzat is phenomenal at what he does.. I just believe he’s not fought anyone who can do to him what I could. I love a challenge, and that would absolutely be a challenge. And with what he’s done in his career, and how he’s done it. That would get me excited.”

    Khamzat Chimaev
    (Khamzat Chimaev on Instagram)

    Ian Machado Garry, always up for a challenge, says a fight with Chimaev would get him excited, and he’s not one to back down from a test. For those catching up, Ian Garry is one of the UFC’s promising welterweights. Ian Machado Garry’s most recent appearance came on April 26, 2025, when he earned a unanimous decision win over Carlos Prates in the main event at UFC Fight Night in Kansas City.

    The victory was a bounce-back after suffering his first career loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov in December 2024. Garry, now 16-1, remains firmly in the welterweight title mix and is reportedly in the conversation for a shot at new champion Jack Della Maddalena, though the next bout has yet to be officially announced.

    Ian Garry Targets Quick Finish Against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310
    Image: @iangarry/Instagram

    Khamzat Chimaev, meanwhile, is making waves in a different division. The stakes couldn’t be higher; a win would put Chimaev at the top of the middleweight mountain and cement his status as one of the sport’s elite. Khamzat Chimaev, meanwhile, last fought in October 2024, where he submitted former champion Robert Whittaker in the first round at UFC 308.

    That win cemented his status as a top contender in the middleweight division. Chimaev is now scheduled for his first UFC title shot, taking on reigning middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 on August 16, 2025. The stakes are high, with Chimaev looking to capture gold and extend his undefeated record in what is expected to be one of the year’s most anticipated title fights

    While Garry is climbing the welterweight ladder, Chimaev is knocking on the door of middleweight gold. Should their paths cross, expect plenty of fireworks.

    Khamzat Chimaev
    Image: @KChimaev on X
  • Breaking: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev Set for UFC 319 Middleweight Title Showdown in Chicago

    Breaking: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev Set for UFC 319 Middleweight Title Showdown in Chicago

    UFC President Dana White announced live on Instagram that Dricus Du Plessis will defend his middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. The event is scheduled for August 16 at the United Center in Chicago.

    Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev

    South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis, the reigning champion, has maintained an undefeated record in the UFC and recently defended his title against top contenders, including Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland. Chimaev, also undefeated in his professional career, has quickly risen through the ranks with victories over former champions and is regarded as a formidable challenger.

    Du Plessis began training in judo at age five, wrestling at 12, and kickboxing at 14. He is known for his well-rounded skill set, holding a second-degree black belt in kickboxing and a background in judo and wrestling. Du Plessis has a professional MMA record of 24 wins and 2 losses, with 9 victories by knockout and 11 by submission. He made his UFC debut in 2020.

    Khamzat Chimaev is undefeated as a professional, with a 14-0 record, including 6 knockouts and 6 submissions. He began wrestling as a child, won Swedish national championships in freestyle wrestling, and transitioned to MMA in 2018. Chimaev quickly rose to prominence in the UFC with dominant performances, including a record-setting run of three wins in 66 days.

    UFC 319

    This middleweight title fight will headline UFC 319, marking one of the most anticipated matchups of the year. Both fighters bring significant win streaks and contrasting styles, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest in Chicago.

  • Mauricio Ruffy Touts Teammate To Beat Khamzat Chimaev, Become First UFC Champion From Fighting Nerds

    Mauricio Ruffy Touts Teammate To Beat Khamzat Chimaev, Become First UFC Champion From Fighting Nerds

    UFC lightweight contender Mauricio Ruffy has backed his teammate Caio Borralho to end the undefeated run of Khamzat Chimaev in mixed martial arts.

    Talk of Borralho and Chimaev sharing the cage has arisen this week following reports of an injury to UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis, who was expected to defend his gold against “Borz” this summer.

    It didn’t take long for Borralho to raise his hand as a possible replacement opponent. Like Chimaev, “The Natural” is yet to taste defeat in the UFC, winning all seven of his bouts en route to #6 in the 185-pound rankings.

    Chimaev hasn’t publicly responded to Borralho’s callout thus far, and it would seem that one of the Brazilian’s prominent Fighting Nerds stablemates is already running out of patience.

    “Enough bullshit,” Ruffy wrote on X (translated from Portuguese). “@KChimaev we all know how camp training works. @ufc send the contract, let’s take that belt! @BorralhoCaio will be the first Fighting (Nerds) to win the belt.”

  • Dricus Du Plessis Reacts To Khamzat Chimaev’s Frustration Over Reported Title Fight Delay

    Dricus Du Plessis Reacts To Khamzat Chimaev’s Frustration Over Reported Title Fight Delay

    UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis has responded after coming under fire from his expected next challenger.

    While Du Plessis was seemingly being lined up for a return this summer to put his gold on the line against the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev, a recent report appeared to reveal an injury to the South African.

    With that, “Borz” looks like he’ll have to wait a little longer for his first shot at title glory on MMA’s biggest stage. And it’s safe to say that the Chechen star didn’t take the news well.

    A frustrated Chimaev took to X with his reaction, writing, “This guy biggest bullsh*t.”

    Responding to that, Du Plessis looked to flip the tables by showing Chimaev’s history of fight cancellations in the UFC.

    “Let’s take a look at the last +-2.5years and tell me who’s bullshit,” Du Plessis wrote on X.

    It remains to be seen what the UFC has planned for Chimaev amid talk of an injury to the reigning champion.

    Should the promotion pursue a new matchup for “Borz,” a ready and willing opponent has already emerged in the form of Caio Borralho.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Apparently Says ‘Yes’ To New Opponent After News Of Dricus Du Plessis Injury

    It hasn’t taken long for UFC middleweight Khamzat Chimaev to seemingly agree to a new matchup amid talk of an apparent injury to champion Dricus Du Plessis.

    The undefeated Chechen contender looked set for his first title opportunity on MMA’s biggest stage this summer after he breezed past the great Robert Whittaker in Abu Dhabi last October.

    But while reports placed his clash with Du Plessis on the UFC 317 card during International Fight Week in late June, Kevin Iole revealed that an injury to the South African is set to delay his third defense.

    “Borz” was quick to corroborate the news with a frustrated post on social media, and he doesn’t appear keen to wait for the champ’s recovery before returning to the cage.

    Fellow top contender Caio Borralho reacted to the news by expressing interest in facing Chimaev instead. By the sound of things, that interest is not one-sided…

    “Khamzat said yes!” Borralho wrote on X. “The only thing that makes sense is the Interim belt! This fight is gonna be bigger than him vs Dricus! Marks my words”

    It remains to be seen whether such a bout would also be of interest to the UFC higher-ups.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Fuels Talk Of Dricus Du Plessis Injury With Frustrated Social Media Post

    Khamzat Chimaev Fuels Talk Of Dricus Du Plessis Injury With Frustrated Social Media Post

    It would seem that middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev will be waiting a little longer than planned for his first UFC title shot.

    Having successfully defended his belt against Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland, the reign of Dricus Du Plessis was expected to meet its tallest hurdle to date this summer.

    “Stillknocks” appeared likely to face the challenge of Chimaev, an undefeated phenom who most recently steamrolled Robert Whittaker by way of a teeth-breaking face crank submission last October.

    But though their bout was targeted for International Fight Week, a recent report from Kevin Iole has suggested that an injury to the champ has forced him out.

    And Chimaev further corroborated that news Sunday with a frustrated post on social media.

    “This guy biggest bullsh*t,” Chimaev wrote on X.

    The apparent injury to the middleweight kinkpin seems to have boosted the chances of Islam Makhachev headlining UFC 317 in defense of his lightweight crown.

  • Darren Till Says Khamzat Chimaev Will ‘Run Over’ Dricus Du Plessis

    One fighter familiar with both Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev expects the former to lose his grip on the UFC middleweight title should their expected fight come to fruition this year.

    Having successfully defended his belt against Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland, the reign of Du Plessis could meet its tallest hurdle to date next time out.

    “Stillknocks” appears likely to face the challenge of Chimaev, an undefeated phenom who most recently steamrolled Robert Whittaker by way of a teeth-breaking face crank submission last October.

    And by the sounds of things, an ex-opponent of the champ’s and occasional training partner of Chimaev’s expects “Borz” to repeat that dominance in his first title fight on MMA’s biggest stage.

    During an interview with Genting Casino, Darren Till gave a one-sided prediction for Du Plessis’ potential clash with the Chechen contender.

    “I think Chimaev is gonna run over him. I think he’ll just completely run over. That’s what I think,” Till said. “I think he’ll win the title. I think he’s done what he’s done to do that, and I think Chimaev will get out, earn the money, and then I think he’ll live his life happily and peacefully then.”

    The top contender didn’t think too highly of Du Plessis’ second championship defense, which came by way of decision in a rematch versus Strickland in Australia last month.

    While “Borz” looks to unseat the South African from the middleweight throne, Till is focused on ventures away from the UFC after requesting his release months on from a submission setback to Du Plessis in late 2022.

  • Fighter With All-Star Corner Of Topuria And Chimaev Loses To +300 Underdog At UFC London

    Fighter With All-Star Corner Of Topuria And Chimaev Loses To +300 Underdog At UFC London

    UFC London showed that just because you have big names helping you prepare for a fight and in your corner, it doesn’t mean you’ll be coming out on top.

    Guram Kutateladze experienced this in a harsh way, dropping a one-sided decision against Kauê Fernandes to open up the preliminary card of Saturday’s event in England’s capital despite boasting both Ilia Topuria and Khamzat Chimaev in his corner.

    Fernandes was one of the most notable underdogs coming into the event, standing at odds of +300 at the time of the fight.

    The Brazilian controlled the fight from the outset with dynamic striking. Early on his dominance was set via a powerful head kick that dropped “Georgian Viking.”

    Kutateladze attempted to gain control of the fight with his grappling, but Fernandes’ kicks and movement continued to be problematic for the fighter with the all-star corner.

    Guram Kutateladze Dominated At UFC London Despite Big Names In Corner

    Fernandes continued his pressure and kicks in the second round, adding in a takedown for good measure. With Kutateladze already cut, the underdog made things worse by not only busting him up to the point he was wearing a crimson mask at the end of the fight, but also dropping the Georgian twice more.

    Fernandes ultimately swept the judges scorecards 30-27.

    Fernandes is now 2-1 in the Octagon, having scored a first-round finish of Mohammad Yahya back in August 2024.

    Kutateladze, meanwhile, is now 2-3 in the UFC, having been unable to string together consecutive victories in his tenure.

  • Henry Cejudo Backs ‘Greatest’ Dricus Du Plessis To Beat Khamzat Chimaev And Alex Pereira

    Henry Cejudo Backs ‘Greatest’ Dricus Du Plessis To Beat Khamzat Chimaev And Alex Pereira

    Former UFC double champ Henry Cejudo has been so impressed with Dricus Du Plessis’s performance against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 that he went on to pick him against potential future opponents Khamzat Chimaev and Alex Pereira.

    The UFC middleweight kingpin was as dominant as he could be in his second outing against Strickland, skyrocketing his brand even further. The challenger left with a broken nose at UFC 312, and before that, DDP showcased his grappling prowess by becoming the first fighter to submit Israel Adesanya.

    Now, fans are excited to see “Stillknocks” get tested against Chimaev and Pereira. While “”Borz” is coming off an impressive first-round submission victory over Robert Whittaker, “Poatan” has looked invincible at light heavyweight.

    In a recent episode of Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru & Henry, Cejudo heavily praised DDP for his cardio and explained why he could hand defeats to both Chimaev and Pereira:

    “If you’re asking me now Kumaru, who is it if we do see a match between DDP and Alex Pereira. Even though I do believe that Pereira is going to beat Magomed Ankalaev, I’ll definitely put my money with DDP. I think DDP, stylistically, is a problem dude. And I know DDP is gonna go in there and f****g wrestle. And I think with the grappling, I think that could be very problematic, but there’s one thing that I will say is he will need to be careful because Alex Pereira does a really good job of cornering and there’s a lot of little sloppy things that DDP does but I think I put my strengths and his mixing of the fighting against a guy like Alex Pereira.”

    While discussing a potential match-up with Chimaev, “Triple C” again picked the South African despite knowing that the Emirati fighter is on an iconic undefeated run. The latter’s ability to out grapple and finish elite fighters like Whittaker and Usman definitely makes him a threat to anyone at middleweight.

    “I personally think he beats up Khamzat Chimaev. I don’t think it’s going to be easy to submit, I think DDP is scrambly and I think his conditioning, bro, I mean I want to put him up there. Even like this particularly, this last fight, you want to kind of, you know, maybe the top three, maybe greatest right now cardio in the UFC. Obviously, Merab is one and then you can go two three but whatever it is, he looked freaking good and he looked so good that fifth round where he was like hey, I was able to go another five more rounds. I mean this guy’s ready and this guy’s gonna be a problem for anybody at 185 lbs and I am excited to see this dude fight Khamzat and if he beats a guy like Khamzat Chimaev, I would love for him to go up and then fight the winner of Alex Pereira and Ankalaev.”

    Ankalaev is the no.1 ranked UFC light heavyweight contender set to fight the champion at UFC 313 in T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada on March 8, 2025. The outcome of this fight will naturally impact the futures of the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.

  • Dricus Du Plessis: Khamzat Chimaev ‘Deserves A Hiding’ Before Alex Pereira Fight

    Dricus Du Plessis: Khamzat Chimaev ‘Deserves A Hiding’ Before Alex Pereira Fight

    Dricus Du Plessis successfully defended his middleweight title for the second time with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Sean Strickland in their rematch at UFC 312 in Sydney.

    Following the fight, Du Plessis turned his attention to light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, who was in Strickland’s corner. While he expressed interest in a future showdown with “Poatan,” he made it clear that his immediate focus is on Khamzat Chimaev.

    “I have the utmost respect for Alex Pereira,” Du Plessis said. “I think he is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. I respect everything he’s accomplished in such a short time in the UFC — coming from another sport and achieving what he has. But yes, I want to share the octagon with that man. I want to beat a guy — I’ve beaten [Israel] Adesanya, who has beaten him. I know I can beat him, and at 205 [pounds], one hundred percent.”

    The likelihood of a fight with the UFC light heavyweight king happening soon is slim, as Pereira is set to defend his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev next month in the main event of UFC 313.

    For now, Du Plessis is content with a fight against the undefeated Chimaev.

    “Khamzat’s first,” Du Plessis said. “I told [Pereira], ‘Please beat Ankalaev.’ No hate against Ankalaev — I just want to beat Alex Pereira. It’s nothing personal against Ankalaev, it’s just Pereira. He’s already a legend in this sport, and it would be amazing to beat him for my legacy. I want to be the greatest to ever do this. But Khamzat is next. Khamzat is next. I want to make sure that this belt — the middleweight title — has no questions left about who the greatest middleweight is.

    “I know you have Anderson Silva — in my mind, he is the GOAT of this division—and you have Adesanya, who has done incredible things. But it’s not just about how many times you defend. It’s about who you fight, how you defend it, and what period of time you’ve done it in. I want to make sure that there’s no question that I am the best middleweight before moving up. So I’m not rushing to fight Alex Pereira next. No, no, no. I want Khamzat next. I think he deserves a hiding.”

  • Khamzat Chimaev & Nassourdine Imavov Among Fighters Unimpressed By UFC 312 Main Event

    Khamzat Chimaev & Nassourdine Imavov Among Fighters Unimpressed By UFC 312 Main Event

    Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland ran it back in Saturday’s UFC 312 headliner, and it’s safe to say the rematch didn’t thrill the MMA masses.

    The pair’s second dance went down this weekend in Sydney, Australia, 13 months on from Du Plessis securing a narrow split decision to capture the middleweight crown.

    The South African made good on his promise to show more evolution in the time since the first meeting, dominantly outpointing a gun-shy Strickland across five rounds in the UFC 312 main event at the Qudos Bank Arena.

    As is often the case, “Tarzan” promised fans a war on fight night but failed to deliver, with his approach even garnering boos from the crowd in attendance at some points in the fight.

    And it was far from just the locals in the arena who were bemused by how the fight played out at UFC 312. Among the critics online were a pair of top 185-pound contenders vying to compete for the gold next — Khamzat Chimaev and Nassourdine Imavov.

    Many believed Chimaev was deserving of the first shot at Du Plessis in 2025. While “Tarzan” got the better of Paulo Costa in a lackluster 15-minute contest last June, “Borz” emphatically submitted Robert Whittaker in Abu Dhabi four months later.

    Imavov, meanwhile, staked his claim for a first championship opportunity last weekend in Saudi Arabia, where he knocked out former two-time champ Israel Adesanya.