Khamzat Chimaev News
Sean Strickland already eyeing Khamzat Chimaev for first title defense after UFC 312: "Chechnyan f*cking whore"
Josh Evanoff - January 30, 2025
If Sean Strickland wins UFC middleweight gold again next month, he wants to fight Khamzat Chimaev. ‘Tarzan’ has been out of the cage since a split-decision win over Paulo Costa last June. That victory over the Brazilian was enough for Sean Strickland to earn another crack at middleweight gold. Next month, the former champion will again lock horns with Dricus du Plessis, who handed him a decision loss last January.
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.
Chael Sonnen wants to see Bo Nickal vs Khamzat Chimaev in the future
Harry Kettle - January 7, 2025
UFC analyst Chael Sonnen has made it known that he believes Bo Nickal vs Khamzat Chimaev should happen in the future. As we know, Bo Nickal is a very talented fighter. In addition, he’s also exceptionally confident in his abilities. He believes that he will go on to become a world champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and it’s not hard to see why. Still, he has a long way to go before achieving that goal, even if most believe he’ll be fast-tracked up through the rankings.
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.
Sean O'Malley's coach responds to blowback over Khamzat Chimaev vs. Bo Nickal take
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 4, 2024
Sean O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch has cleared the air on a recent social media post that was met with backlash. Welch was paying attention to the UFC 308 pay-per-view event. In particular, he was in awe of Khamzat Chimaev’s ability to force a submission on Robert Whittaker as quickly as he did. After the fight, Welch suggested that Bo Nickal might be the only fighter to give “Borz” a run for his money.
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.
UFC champion Dricus du Plessis expresses interest in fighting Khamzat Chimaev next: “I can’t wait to take your 0”
Harry Kettle - October 29, 2024
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has expressed an interest in facing off against top challenger Khamzat Chimaev. Over the course of the last few years, Dricus du Plessis has firmly established himself as the best middleweight in the world. He’s done so by defeating some incredibly high level opponents, including Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya. The expectation, after his win over the latter, was that he’d battle Strickland in a rematch.
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.
Henry Cejudo says Khamzat Chimaev is clear number one contender for UFC middleweight title: "Give him that damn title shot"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 28, 2024
Henry Cejudo is in awe of Khamzat Chimaev following his quick UFC 308 win over Robert Whittaker. Chimaev went one-on-one with Whittaker in the co-main event of UFC 308. While fans were excited for the pivotal middleweight scrap, they didn’t get much time to enjoy it. Chimaev took Whittaker down and ended up injuring “The Reaper,” who said his jaw his fine but his bottom teeth were pushed back.
Khamzat Chimaev recalls when he knew Robert Whittaker was injured at UFC 308
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 27, 2024
Khamzat Chimaev has revealed whether he knew he injured Robert Whittaker at UFC 308. “Borz” and “The Reaper” shared the Octagon in the co-main event of the Abu Dhabi show. It was a pivotal bout in the middleweight division, as a winner would likely punch their ticket for a future middleweight title shot.
Pros react after Khamzat Chimaev stops Robert Whittaker at UFC 308
Chris Taylor - October 26, 2024
Today’s UFC 308 event was co-headlined by a highly anticipated middleweight showdown between Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker. Chimaev (14-0 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since scoring a majority decision win over Kamaru Usman one year ago at UFC 294. Prior to earning that razor thin victory, ‘Borz’ was coming off a first-round stoppage victory over Kevin Holland at UFC 279.