Amid his roughshod run through divisions, Khamzat Chimaev is infallible according to former foe Robert Whittaker, unless one rare scenario presents itself.
Finally landing the middleweight crown last month, the unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev turned in a dominant unanimous decision win over Dricus du Plessis in the main event of UFC 318.
And almost turning in a record-breaking performance in the process, Chimaev landed his fifteenth straight win in combat sports.
With du Plessis the latest victim of Chimaev’s dominance in the Octagon, a former foe of the Chechen star envisions a single scenario in which he could be defeated.
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Robert Whittaker reveals how Khamzat Chimaev could lose in the UFC
More than familiar with the undefeated Chimaev, former undisputed middleweight champion Robert Whittaker infamously took on the dominant grappler last year.
And suffering a devastating opening round face crank loss, Whittaker dealt with a horrifying injury as a result, with multiple teeth in his lower jaw breaking following Chimaev’s relentless squeeze.
Paired with the knowledge of sharing the Octagon with Chimaev and watching his stunning rise, Whittaker has laid out the only scenario in which the Chechnya star could possibly lose.
“I don’t know how anyone beats Khamzat (Chimaev) at the moment,” Whittaker said on the MMArcade podcast. “His wrestling is so high-level. I feel like the way to beat Khamzat is with high-level Jiu-Jitsu.
“If (Nassourdine) Imavov has high-level back Jiu-Jitsu, then maybe we’ll see something. It’s a fight; anything can happen—maybe Chimaev dives into a knee or foot.”
And with his win overnight against Caio Borralho, surging contender Nassourdine Imavov has staked his claim for a shot at Chimaev and his newly minted belt.
However, a veteran commentator has suggested a rather leftfield challenger instead.
Joe Rogan suggests first title challenger for Khamzat Chimaev
Yet to be booked for his return to action after his win over du Plessis just a month ago, Chimaev has welcomed all contenders to his throne.
Notably, the Chechen has been linked with the above-mentioned Imavov, as well as streaking Dutch contender Reinier de Ridder.
However, as far as color commentator Joe Rogan is concerned, Chimaev should take on former gold holder Sean Strickland next.
“Well, who else then? Who’s getting Khamzat next? It really depends on what (Reinier De Ridder vs Anthony Hernandez) looks like, right, because this was a f—— war,” Rogan said during a Fight Companion episode.
“Interesting, who is the big star behind these guys, behind Imavov… Who’s the big star other than him (that could leapfrog him)? (Sean Strickland) is the biggest star, for sure.”