Khamzat Chimaev News
Dricus du Plessis focused on Khamzat Chimaev next, not Alex Pereira following UFC 312
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 9, 2025
After another successful title defense at UFC 312, Dricus du Plessis is looking at what’s next, and it isn’t Alex Pereira despite his post-fight tease. Du Plessis shared the Octagon with Sean Strickland a second time this past Saturday. The two headlined UFC 312 inside the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia for “Stillknocks'” middleweight gold. While their first fight ended via split decision in a competitive five-round war, things played out quite differently in the rematch. Du Plessis was a step ahead of Strickland throughout the fight and busted his opponent’s nose pretty bad en route to a unanimous decision win.
Khamzat Chimaev fires back at rival Sean Strickland ahead of UFC 312
Harry Kettle - February 5, 2025
UFC star Khamzat Chimaev has fired back at rival Sean Strickland ahead of the latter’s fight at UFC 312 this weekend. As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is easily one of the top fighters in mixed martial arts today. He’s also, in the eyes of many, the number one contender at middleweight. He looks set to challenge for the belt in his next fight, against whoever wins the UFC 312 main event between Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland.
Chael Sonnen believes Khamzat Chimaev could serve as back-up fighter for UFC 312 main event
Harry Kettle - February 5, 2025
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen believes Khamzat Chimaev may end up serving as the back-up fighter for the UFC 312 main event. As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is a top contender in the middleweight division. While Dricus du Plessis may be defending the belt against Sean Strickland at UFC 312, we all know ‘Borz’ is waiting for the winner. In addition, many believe he’d be the favorite against either of the two potential champions.
Dricus du Plessis wanted Khamzat Chimaev fight, not Sean Strickland rematch for UFC 312
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 3, 2025
Dricus du Plessis admits he would’ve liked to have been defending his UFC middleweight gold against Khamzat Chimaev this weekend. Du Plessis will instead have a title rematch against the man he defeated for the 185-pound hardware, Sean Strickland. In their first meeting, du Plessis earned a split decision victory. Strickland stood firm in his stance that he wouldn’t take another fight outside of his win over Paulo Costa before getting a chance to reclaim the middleweight title.
Luke Rockhold claims Khamzat Chimaev turned him down in the UFC: "He didn't want to play"
Cole Shelton - January 28, 2025
Former UFC champion Luke Rockhold claims he was offered to fight Khamzat Chimaev but the undefeated fighter turned him down. Before Rockhold was booked to fight Paulo Costa in 2022, the former champ says he was offered Chimaev. However, he claimed ‘Borz’ turned him down and he isn’t sure why, but the UFC then pivoted to the Costa fight.
Former UFC champion claims Khamzat Chimaev once turned down fight offer: 'He didn't really want to play'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 28, 2025
One former UFC titleholder claims that Khamzat Chimaev once turned down a fight with him. Chimaev has been on a tear under the UFC banner. He has a perfect pro MMA record of 14-0 and is coming off the biggest win of his career, submitting ex-UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the first round. Many believe Chimaev is the clear choice to challenge the winner of the upcoming title rematch between Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland.
Khamzat Chimaev makes a big prediction for his UFC run in 2025
Harry Kettle - January 27, 2025
UFC star Khamzat Chimaev has made a big prediction for his run in the promotion this year. As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is one of the scariest fighters in all of mixed martial arts. He has achieved some incredible things up to this point in his career, but of course, his biggest goal is still ahead of him. The man known as ‘Borz’ is hungry to become a UFC champion, with many believing he should be the next in line for a shot at the winner of Dricus du Plessis vs Sean Strickland 2.
Robert Whittaker offers update on jaw injury suffered against Khamzat Chimaev: "You can't fight through that"
Josh Evanoff - January 22, 2025
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is healing well from his fight with Khamzat Chimaev. ‘The Reaper’ and ‘Borz’ met in the co-main event of UFC 308 in late October. Back for the first time since scoring a knockout win over Ikram Aliskerov in June, Robert Whittaker hoped to secure a title shot. Meanwhile, Khamzat Chimaev last appeared in the cage last October, scoring a decision victory over Kamaru Usman.
Bo Nickal reveals key factor in potential future UFC fight with Khamzat Chimaev: 'The longer the fight goes, the worse it's going to get'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 7, 2025
Bo Nickal believes that his wrestling is a cut above Khamzat Chimaev’s. Nickal’s name has been in the spotlight despite only having seven pro MMA fights. Some fans believe a showdown with Chimaev is inevitable, although others are skeptical following Nickal’s recent showing against Paul Craig at UFC 309 back in November. There is still time for Nickal to grow in the sport of MMA, but Chimaev is already on the cusp of championship gold.
Israel Adesanya explains why he wants to fight Khamzat Chimaev: 'I was surprised'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 22, 2024
Israel Adesanya has offered an explanation for why he wants to eventually share the Octagon with Khamzat Chimaev. Adesanya and Chimaev have yet to cross paths. “The Last Stylebender” is coming off a failed bid to become a three-time UFC middleweight champion after being submitted by the current titleholder Dricus du Plessis. As for “Borz,” he’s fresh off the biggest victory of his pro MMA career, forcing Robert Whittaker to tap out in the opening frame of their bout back in October.
Former UFC champion thinks Khamzat Chimaev beats Alex Pereira in rumored title fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 20, 2024
One former UFC titleholder believes Khamzat Chimaev would be able to dethrone the current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Rumors have been swirling since Pereira took to social media to claim that Magomed Ankalaev will not be his next title challenger. Some have speculated that Chimaev will move up from 185 pounds to challenge Pereira for the gold at light heavyweight.
Javier Mendez says Khamzat Chimaev is on same level of Khabib Nurmagomedov & Islam Makhachev despite style differences
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 4, 2024
Renowned American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez has some big praise for Khamzat Chimaev. While Chimaev dazzled MMA fans with his red hot UFC start, illnesses halted his momentum. Perhaps mother nature can only hope to contain “Borz,” as he bounced back to deliver the most impressive performance of his fighting career. He injured Robert Whittaker’s bottom teeth to the point where “The Reaper” was forced to tap out as soon as a face crank was applied.
Kamaru Usman unsure if Khamzat Chimaev can finish Dricus du Plessis: "There's a reason Dricus is the champ"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 31, 2024
Kamaru Usman is on the fence about whether or not Khamzat Chimaev can finish Dricus du Plessis. Chimaev has emerged as possibly the next UFC middleweight title contender. He stunned the MMA world by shoving Robert Whittaker’s bottom teeth in during his first-round submission win at UFC 308. Now, many are wondering if “Borz” has surpassed Sean Strickland in the pecking order at 185 pounds.
Dricus du Plessis picks a side in Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland title shot debate
Curtis Calhoun - October 30, 2024
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis addressed the ongoing debate surrounding who should get the next title shot after a wild night at UFC 308. Khamzat Chimaev defeated former titleholder Robert Whittaker by first-round submission in the UFC 308 co-main event last weekend. Chimaev, who is now 2-0 in his middleweight tenure, is on the cusp of getting his shot at UFC gold after a roller coaster last few years.
Joe Rogan thinks 'scary motherf*****' Khamzat Chimaev 'might be the guy' at middleweight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 30, 2024
, hJoe Rogan is in awe of Khamzat Chimaev’s quick and dominant submission win over Robert Whittaker. Chimaev took on Robert Whittaker in the co-man event of UFC 308. It was a crucial fight in the middleweight division, and one where many felt the winner could leapfrog his way to a title shot depending on the performance. Chimaev ended up not only submitting Whittaker in the first round, he even caused an injury that saw “The Reaper’s” bottom teeth get shoved in.
Daniel Cormier feels Khamzat Chimaev leapfrogs Sean Strickland in UFC middleweight title race
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 29, 2024
Daniel Cormier believes that Khamzat Chimaev has eclipsed Sean Strickland in the race for the next UFC middleweight title fight. Chimaev manhandled Robert Whittaker, one of the most respected middleweights in MMA. He forced Whittaker to tap out in the first round due to an injury. “The Reaper” claims his jaw is fine, but his bottom teeth were pushed in.
What's next for the stars of UFC 308?
Cole Shelton - October 28, 2024
The UFC was in Abu Dhabi, Dubai on Saturday for a solid UFC 308 fight card. In the main event, Ilia Topuria was defending his featherweight title against Max Holloway. The co-main event saw Robert Whittaker taking on Khamzat Chimaev in a highly-anticipated middleweight bout.
Chael Sonnen shares "Nasty" text Sean Strickland sent him immediately after Khamzat Chimaev's win at UFC 308
Curtis Calhoun - October 28, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland sent a scathing message to Chael Sonnen aimed at UFC 308 winner Khamzat Chimaev immediately after his No. 1 contender fight. Chimaev earned the biggest win of his career by submitting former titleholder Robert Whittaker by face-crank in the UFC 308 co-main event. He remains undefeated in his career and cemented himself as a top middleweight contender with the victory.