Khamzat Chimaev’s middleweight rival insists division’s dark horse is ‘harder fight’ than 14-0 phenom

Khamzat Chimaev is perhaps the most feared hunter on the UFC selection at the moment.

The 14-0 Russian phenomenon has gone through almost all its opponents since he came to MMA's most important promotion in 2020.

Khamzat Chimaev will fight against Dricus du Plessis for middleweight gold on UFC 319 on 16 August.

A few weeks before, Reinier de Ridder and Robert Whittaker will be confronted in an eliminator at UFC Abu Dhabi.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Is Khamzat Chimaev the most difficult fight on 185 pounds?

The perfect record of Khamzat Chimaev and the ruthless fighting style have given him a frightening reputation.

Reinier de Ridder, however, believes that there is another middleweight candidate who would give him a more difficult fight.

Nassourdine Imavov has faded in darkness since he eliminated Israel Adesanya from UFC Saudi Arabia in February.

Yet the first man who beats Bo Nickal believes that he is perhaps the best hunter who is currently competing on 185 pounds.

“Not by me,” De Ridder said when he was asked if Chimaev is the most 'feared' UFC midal weight.

'I think we don't talk about him that much, but the French man [Imavov] is very complete.

“He moves very well, is very relaxed and is smart when he fights. I think that might be a more difficult fight.

“But Khamzat is of course a great hunter.”

🐺🇳🇱 Reinier de Ridder says there are better hunters than Khamzat Chimaev in the division:

“French man [Imavov] is very complete. He moves very well, very relaxed and smart when he fights. I think that might be a more difficult fight. But Khamzat is of course a great hunter. “

🎥… pic.twitter.com/ycmkrzpjeb

– Home of Fight (@home_of_fight) 2 June 2025

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Reinier de Ridder Previews Future Khamzat Chimaev Fight

Reinier de Ridder further revealed how he expected that he had expected a fight between him and 'Borz'.

“I think it would be a very, very cool grab match,” he predicted.

“Knocking a lot of beautiful struggle. Many nice positions to continue.

“I would be happy if he got some rounds with Drus, so I still have something to study.”

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