Ushering in a new era at the middleweight division at UFC 319, contenders are going to come thick and fast for the new kingpin Khamzat Chimaev.
Turning in a wholly dominant win over defending champion Dricus du Plessis from the opening exchange, Khamzat Chimaev emerged with the middleweight crown in tow in Chicago, entirely unscathed from the pairing.
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And whilst coming under fire from many in the community for his grappling-heavy attack against du Plessis, don’t expect many contenders to relish the chance to take on Chimaev next.
But nevertheless, the Chechyna star seems ready, willing and able — almost straightaway — to take on all comers to his belt.
Khamzat Chimaev welcomes fight with UFC Paris winner next
Seemingly already switching focus to his duties as incumbent gold holder, Chimaev already has a pair of potential challengers on his radar.
Namely, the Chechen star has welcomed the chance to take on either Nassourdine Imavov, the current number one contender, or Brazilian star Caio Borralho, who served as the official backup to the UFC 319 headliner.
And with the duo gunning for their chance to fight for middleweight spoils, they meet in just weeks’ time at UFC Paris in a trip to France for the promotion, in a bid to earn their shot at new champion Chimaev.
Given the dominant nature of his title fight, the unscathed Chimaev has also been considered as a suitable addition to UFC 321 in October by promotional boss Dana White — in a quickfire turnaround for the new champion.
Potential challengers to Khamzat Chimaev’s new title reign
The most likely immediate challenge to Chimaev’s throne is likely to emerge from that main event pairing in the French capital next month.
Imavov currently holds the number one rank at 185lbs, fresh from his stunning knockout win over Israel Adesanya in the Middle East earlier this year.
Furthermore, the number six-ranked Borralho has also emerged as a force to be reckoned with at middleweight.
Another product of Dana White’s Contender Series, Borralho has so far enjoyed a roughshod run of seven straight wins in the Octagon since his move.
Representing the Fighting Nerds, Borralho has shown off both his striking and submission talent in the organization, most recently landing a decision win over Jared Cannonier.
And to boot, he feels like a contender who really can mix it all together — pertinent to surviving the fierce wrestling onslaught of Chimaev — which no fighter has managed to traverse just yet.
Wildcard pick to fight Khamzat Chimaev for gold next
Riding a massive wave of momentum, Dutch grappling ace Reinier de Ridder has emerged amongst his middleweight peers as a significant threat to the establishment at 185lbs.
Last time out, the ex-ONE Championship duel-weight champion defeated former champion and common foe Robert Whittaker with another standout win in his first headliner.
A little higher than Borralho in the pecking order at number five in the division, de Ridder has already racked up four wins in the Octagon, despite making his bow just shy of 10 months ago.
A decorated grappler who has added a certain wrinkle to his game in the form of vicious body strikes and thudding knees, de Ridder would present an interesting hurdle for Chimaev to surpass.
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Sure, Chimaev has been pitted with some decent grapplers in the past, most notably Gilbert Burns at the welterweight limit; however, the Brazilian was truly undersized for the pairing — having competed as low as lightweight in the past.
The added intrigue of de Ridder and his size, paired with offensive grappling, makes this a definite fight we’d love to see in the not-too-distant future, regardless of whether it’s next or not.