There were some worries about Khamzat Chimaev to UFC 319 based on some problems he has had in the past.
With just one day to go until his first UFC title fight, the undefeated challenger has every box tapping before August 16.
Chimaev arrived in Chicago without problems and seems to be in excellent condition and cheerful during the fighting week.
There is also a lot of talk about his preparations for his collision with Drus Du Plessis and how he has taken extra steps to prevent what many believe that his biggest weakness is.
TJ Dillashaw took the honor for the introduction of Chimaev to his coach, in the conviction that this will lead to a significant improvement in his conditioning.
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Sam Calavitta remembers the moment he knew that Khamzat Chimaev would become a champion on UFC 319
In a recent episode of ESPN MMA's 'Good Guy / Bad Guy' Sam Calavitta joined the show to talk about the work he has done with Khamzat Chimaev for UFC 319.
Calavitta, who specializes in strength and conditioning. was a secret weapon in the corner of TJ Dillashaw during his career.
Arman Tsarukyan recently claimed that Chimaev needs someone to control him during his training camps because he was drained in fighting after he had pushed too much in the past.
During the episode, Calavitta spoke about how, when he brought the challenger through a rigorous training schedule, he went back to the return.
“Too much of a good thing is a bad thing. That's one of the things we miss in combat sports. We always think it's going to go, but that doesn't always bring you. So what happened, I jerked Khamzat after two rounds and went on the corner of the garage there and I said,” We are good for today. “
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Calavitta said that Chimaev's answer was that he still wanted to complete the entire three rounds for which they were planned.
The coach also said that Aaron Pico, with whom he also worked for UFC 319, then put five more rounds the marker, with the two UFC stars helping to push each other in the gym.
Although overtraining is a concern for Chimaev, Calavitta believes that it is this mentality he saw from the hunter who convinced him that a new middleweight champion will be crowned on Saturday evening.
“When Khamzat said that, and he goes,” another round, “because everyone around me, all the other people there, there was a whole entourage of people there. They said,” Oh, that's enough. ” And I said, “Good, that's good.” Khamzat says: “Another round.” I knew he was champion then.
Sam Calavitta believes that the mentality of Khamzat Chimaev separates him from the rest
There was so much hype around Khamzat Chimaev when he first arrived in the UFC that many expected him to fight much earlier for a title than UFC 319.
The wrestling of the unbeaten star has been absolutely dominant in the Octagon, but Sam Calavitta does not believe that this is only what makes him such a feared competitor.
After training with Chimaev for his first UFC title fight, he believes that it is the mentality of 'Borz' and his drive to push himself that makes him an elite hunter.
“Khamzat, pretty softly spoken man, does not have to say many words because he completely believes in the capacity of where he comes from and where he goes. He has the eye. Look at their eye, that's why they come to the garage. Many boys will not come to the garage because they are not comfortable with uncomfortable. Khamzat blooms there.”
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC