UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen interviewed the biggest criticism of Khamzat Chimaev prior to UFC 319.
Khamzat Chimaev will want to close his meteoric rise in the UFC Octagon with a world title profit later this month. Chimaev and UFC Middleweight Champion Dric Du Plessis fight in the main event of UFC 319, a title fight that fans, experts and fellow hunters have discussed for years.
In addition to their similar processes such as UFC 319, Chimaev and Du Plessis share a common element of criticism during their career. While Chimaev and Du Plessis have blown their competition within the Octagon so far, there have been times when the two stars are dramatically delayed as the fighting progressed.
Chimaev is taking huge steps in upgrading his cardio for UFC 319. He has worked with the old conditioning coach of former UFC champion TJ Dillashaw in the hope of presenting a marathon approach for the upcoming title fight.
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Chael Sonnen compares Khamzat Chimaev with heavyweight legend in tackling cardio criticism
Du Plessis, just like Chimaev, was seen as poor conditioning and cardio during the early parts of his career. But after a nasal operation, Du Plessis has demonstrated a consistent pace in recent victories over Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland.
A UFC Hall of Famer believes that the observed lack of conditioning by Chimaev is comparable to what an MMA heavyweight legend had to do throughout his career.
During a recent performance on the Bohnfire podcast, Chael Sonen explained why criticism of Chimaev's conditioning is a far -fetched company.
“Chimaev has to get him down,” Sonen said about Chimaev.
“He can't just fight in a different way. There is a big question about Chimaev's conditioning, and I don't know if that is honest. We have seen Chimaev get exhausted. But Fedor [Emelianenko] Used to get exhausted and he never stopped. It never delayed him. And it's the same with Chimaev.
“I don't think it's fair to question his conditioning. I think he has a set of energy and he uses it all, what he should do. That will be tested and we will find out if that is correct.”
Chimaev earned the UFC Middleweight Tawl STACH after recent victories over Robert Whittaker and Kamaru Usman. Before he was completed at UFC 308 in a few minutes, the Cardio of Chimaev was tested enormously on Usman in his closely affected decision gain at UFC 294.
Khamzat Chimaev is warned by the UFC legend after Cardio -Upgrade for UFC 319
Despite Chimaev's conditioning training prior to the UFC 319, another UFC Hall of Famer wonders if it benefits the challenger in the Octagon.
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping believes that the 'Sprinter' tendencies of Chimaev must be shown to beat du Plessis on UFC 319. Bisping claimed that Chimaev cannot show 'Marathon Harderloper' and 'Sprinter' style at the same time.
Chimaev only fought three times past the first round in his UFC official period, including his promotion debut victory over John Phillips in July 2020. Five of the UFC victories of Chimaev ended in round 1.
If Chimaev is unable to be the UFC 319 headliner in the first round Du Plessis and to lead to one of the most meticulous title fights in recent memory.