Khamzat Chimaev received both praise and criticism for his title-winning performance this past weekend.
While ‘Borz’ was incredibly dominant in the main event of UFC 319, Paulo Costa claimed that Chimaev’s win could have a negative impact on the sport.
There weren’t any real moments where it looked like Dricus du Plessis was in danger of being finished across the five round duration.
With ‘Stillknocks’ unable to threaten with offense or get back to his feet when he was taken down, the undefeated challenger was in complete control.
Though one of Chimaev’s potential first challengers believes that he can pose a threat to him on the ground, the same can be said for an opponent that he was set to face off with back in 2022.
- LATEST NEWS: Khamzat Chimaev credits Chechen leader for bringing him back to the sport as he takes UFC title back home
Nate Diaz labels Khamzat Chimaev as ‘scared’ when reacting to his UFC 319 win
At UFC 279 in 2022, Khamzat Chimaev was set to compete in his first PPV main event where he had the chance to add one of the sport’s biggest stars to his win streak.
‘Borz’ would’ve been the last opponent that Nate Diaz fought inside the Octagon until his weight miss led to a major reshuffling on late notice.
Chimaev ended up beating Kevin Holland in the co-main event, while Tony Ferguson stepped in to face Diaz in the headliner.
The fan favorite recently appeared on a stream with social media star Sneako where he gave his reaction to the new middleweight champion’s performance at UFC 319.
Diaz was very critical of Chimaev, as he was in his initial thoughts, specifically drawing attention to the fact that he broke the UFC record for most strikes landed without truly opening up on Dricus du Plessis.
“That type of fighter is a scared fighter. He’s scared for his life… He’s that afraid that if he lets go to hit him hard, that m———– might get up and get the f— away from him. So, that’s a scared style to me. He comes off as this big, intimidating guy but he’s a big scared f—— child… You can tell by how scared he is, holding him that tight.”
Nate Diaz reveals what his game plan would’ve been for fighting Khamzat Chimaev
After watching how dominant Khamzat Chimaev was at UFC 319, the top middleweight contenders will now be focused on trying to stop the champion’s takedown attempts.
Nate Diaz, however, revealed that this wouldn’t have been his approach to their cancelled 2022 fight at UFC 279.
Diaz stated on Sneako’s stream that it wasn’t smart to try and match Chimaev in the wrestling because he would be at a disadvantage.
Instead, he planned to welcome ‘Borz’ to the ground and accept the fact that he’d likely lose a decision, using his time to try and damage or submit Chimaev from the bottom rather than getting back up to his feet.
“You’re gonna lose a decision anyway so learn how to fight there. Put him in your closed guard and f——beat the f— out of him. You’re gonna make my life a living hell trying to get up, then I’m just not gonna try to get up, I’m going to beat the f— out of you from my back and lose a decision or take you out somehow… I’m not gonna be an athlete back with you because you already obviously got that part covered, that’s how he got there.”
Reinier de Ridder, who could be Chimaev’s next challenger, may look to capitalize on similar openings as a fellow submission specialist.