Khamzat Chimaev’s style has been described as “more typical” than UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, making him easier to train for.
Chimaev finally has his chance to win UFC gold at next month’s pay-per-view event in Chicago, where he will look to keep his perfect Octagon record intact by becoming the first to beat Du Plessis in the promotion.
To date, Robert Whittaker, Kamaru Usman, and Gilbert Burns are among those who have failed to stop the Chechen’s charge toward the top. And after seeing Chimaev crush Whittaker at UFC 308 last year, many are expecting ‘Borz’ to secure the throne at UFC 319.
In the eyes of one contender looking to challenge the winner of the August 16 main event, that result would leave him with an easier task than if Du Plessis successfully defends the belt.
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Reinier de Ridder claims Khamzat Chimaev would be easier to prepare for than Dricus du Plessis
Reinier de Ridder’s UFC Abu Dhabi victory over Whittaker has resulted in a sizable ascent to No. 5 in the middleweight rankings. The Dutchman has made it clear that he wants the opportunity to add UFC gold to his career’s trophy cabinet next.
He reiterated that during a recent interview with ESPN MMA, while also making a bold claim about who would be trickier to train for out of current champ Du Plessis and upcoming challenger Chimaev.
“Khamzat would be an easier fight to prepare for,” De Ridder said.
“He’s more of a typical style. I can bring a couple of Dagestanis and Chechens who wrestle pretty similar to Khamzat. It’s not as weird as Dricus is.
“It would be harder to prepare for Dricus, but if he wins, he might be the bigger name,” De Ridder added.
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Reinier de Ridder’s teammate makes a bold prediction for the potential Khamzat Chimaev fight
De Ridder’s claim has been met with pushback by plenty of fans on social media, but ‘The Dutch Knight’ firmly has the backing of a former teammate and fellow UFC fighter.
Speaking to Bloody Elbow, Robert Valentin praised his ex-training partner’s ability, even tipping De Ridder to out-grapple Chimaev should they meet inside the Octagon down the line.
“His ground skills are unmatched in the UFC and I’ll make this call right now,” Valentin said. “I think even against Khamzat Chimaev, he would win the grappling exchanges.
“Maybe not the majority of the wrestling exchanges, but the grappling exchanges.”