Former BRAVE CF contender Khamzat Chimaev has enjoyed an unparalleled debut through a standard three-fight contract. He has been hit just twice in his first three UFC fights, and both were in his first bout. And the number of shots is decreasing, as the level of competition increases, stopping his first opponent after 124 punches at middleweight, the second after 68 punches at welterweight, and the third opponent, back at middleweight, with just four punches.
In his last fight, the UFC booked Chimaev vs. Gerald Meerschaert, and also planned to have him fight Demian Maia in October. UFC president Dana White says he may book Chimaev before the Maia fight, too.
On ESPN’s DC & Helwani Show, former champ champ Daniel Cormier got on the hype train, as a conductor.
Choo choo! Where’s my steering wheel? Because I’m driving the train, baby. You know I’m driving the train,” said Cormier. “What about when he made his debut and you had to tell me his name? That was like three fights ago! … Boy, do I know who he is now. I’m the conductor of this train and I’m not letting certain people on.
[The UFC] were like, ‘We’re gonna schedule him two because this dude’s special,’ and boy he showed it last weekend. And you know what’s even more impressive? He’s a 170-pounder.
By 2021, Khamzat Chimaev is fighting for the belt or is the champ. In 2021, Khamzat Chimaev is the double champ, 170 and 185. I love [Israel Adesanya] but he goes up and down, he fights everybody. After what I saw. . . this spaceship is going to the moon. … He’s got a great philosophy, he’s got a great mind for fighting, he’s got all the physical ability to dominate two weight classes, dude is the real deal.
Do you want to see him get tested? Because he’s honestly not going to get tested until he gets to the elite of the elite. But I mean, who do you match him up with? He’s got to be almost ranked. . . I want him with one of the best guys. Put him in a top-10 fight. Neil Magny. Put him in there with Neil Magny. That’s the one.
h/t Jed Meshew for MMA Fighting
