UFC Middleweight Competent Khamzat Chimaev proved his reliability with two record setting profits.
Khamzat Chimaev is one of the most dominant forces in modern mixed martial arts after an undefeated start of his professional career. After he had received the call to debut in the UFC in 2020, Chimaev Champed the bit to get started, and it was not long before he felt his presence in the UFC history books.
Chimaev made his UFC debut against John Phillips in a middleweight fight in July 2020, during one of the first cards of the promotion on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. After a first round, Chimaev Phillips tapped with a Brabo choke in round 2 to start his UFC career.
Hours after his UFC debut win, Chimaev accepted another fight in the Octagon, set 10 days later.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Khamzat Chimaev won two fights in 10 days to establish ridiculously UFC record
Chimaev had hardly any time to strategize with his team for his second UFC fight against Rhys McKee on another UFC Fight Island card. But despite the reversal of the record, Chimaev supplied with flag and pennant and showed his ridiculous potential.
Chimaev fought with a high sense of urgency against McKee after moisture at less than 100 percent in the Octagon as a result of fatigue that suffered only a few days earlier against Phillips. He quickly got hold of McKee, pressed him against the fence and eventually provided a large Takedown.
When Chimaev brought McKee to the ground, he followed with absolutely brutal ground-and-pound that griped McKee for air. Minutes later, Chimaev walked away with the TKO victory to establish the UFC record for the fastest turnaround between victories.
Several other UFC hunters have since come close to the record of Chimaev, including Loopy Godinez, but no one has surpassed it. It is an achievement that may never be achieved in the UFC again because of the huge hunter schedule and the event schedule.
Khamzat Chimaev called through top middleweight for interim title match
Fastforwardends until 2025, Chimaev is about to have a middleweight title shot against Dricus du Plessis, but it may not be short of a rumor delay. As reported for the first time by MMA journalist Kevin Iole, Du Plessis ran an injury on his timeline for his next defending defense for an indefinite period of time, probably against Chimaev.
If Chimaev chooses not to wait much longer to fight, UFC Middenweight Competer Caio Borralho is happy to oblige. Chimaev and Borralho would have agreed to complete in an interim title match during the absence of Du Plessis of the competition.
At the moment, the UFC has not booked or announced anything about the next fight by Chimaev and the health status of Du Plessis. Du Plessis defeated Sean Strickland on UFC 312 earlier this year in his most recent title defense.
After Chimaev Du Plessis mocked for his reported injury problems, it was not long before Du Plessis returned. In recent days, Chimaev has also mocked Borralho by reminding the talented Brazilian of their earlier sparring sessions.
Chimaev can be weeks away from his UFC referee, whether it is against Du Plessis or another top name. In the meantime, it is best not to question Chimaev's ability to do short-notice fights with great success.