Senaste nytt
Analysis: What’s next for Khamzat Chimaev?
What’s next for Khamzat Chimaev? Photo via Instagram, Stefan Romare and USA Today Sports
With his latest win at UFC 308, Khamzat Chimaev cemented his place in the top of the middleweight division. From here on, the undefeated star sees only one way to go next.
“It doesn’t matter Sean or Dricus, just going for the gold,” Chimaev said at the UFC 308 post-fight news conference. “So we’ll see what happens next. I’m ready.”
Even if Chimaev won’t fight for the belt in his next outing, there’s a bunch of great fights to be done. Let’s check out five possible matchups for Khamzat Chimaev!
Dricus du Plessis
Dricus du Plessis. Photo via YouTube
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis is likely to face Sean Strickland in early 2025, but expressed a desire to face Khamzat after seeing him stop Robert Whittaker.
”Feel really sorry for Rob he looked super ready but this is the fight game well done on a good performance Khamzat. That being said I can’t wait to take your 0,” du Plessis wrote on social media.
The champion is known for being a well-rounded and physically strong fighter, with wins against Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker on his resume.
When asked about Du Plessis’ grappling, however, Khamzat dismissed it.
“How I did with this guy, Rob, and how he done?” Chimaev said at the UFC 308 post-fight press conference. “Rob took him down, so if Rob took him down, there is salam alaikum (against me).”
Sean Strickland
Sean Strickland is not a fan of the new UFC gloves. Photo via YouTube
Another possible matchup is Sean Strickland, who most likely will get a chance to win back his belt next.
A fight against the outspoken American would be a good matchup for Khamzat, who claimed he tapped out Strickland multiple times when sparring in the gym.
“Sean Strickland, we’ve been in the gym. We have some stuff not done yet, so that would be good history as well,” Chimaev said at the UFC 308 post-fight press conference.
Israel Adesanya
Photo by Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports
If Chimaev won’t get a shot for gold in his next assignment, a fight against striking specialist, and former champion, Israel Adesanya would be the biggest fight to make.
“For me, Adesanya would be a good money fight because he has a big name,” Chimaev said about a potential matchup.
Style-wise it’s a classic striker vs. grappler that would intrigue many MMA fans. Of all the possible matchups outside a title fight, this is by far the most interesting.
Nassourdine Imavov
Nassourdine Imavov. Photo via Instagram (@imavov_nassourdine)
Another possible non-title fight matchup would be against top ranked Nassourdine Imavov, who’s on a three-fight winning streak against top opponents.
Imavov lacks the starpower on an international level, but as a title contender fight, the matchup makes a lot of sense.
Marvin Vettori
Marvin Vettori. Photo: Chris Unger / Zuffa LLC via USA TODAY Sports
Even though the matchup is not very likely, top ranked former title contender Marvin Vettori is in the top 7 of the middleweight division and has not fought in more than a year.
The well-rounded Italian middleweight has alternated wins and losses in his five past fights and comes from a unanimous decision loss to Jared Cannonier in June 2023.
This is Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev. Photo via YouTube
- Age: 30
- Record: 14-0
- UFC record: 8-0
- Weight: 186 lbs (84 kg)
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
- Reach: 75 in (190 cm)
- Post-fight bonuses: 6