Alexis Kestler
Hello MMA fan! If you‘ve been following the meteoric rise of Khamzat Chimaev over the past couple years, you likely already know that this guy is the real deal. As an intense analyst and lover of combat sports, I‘ve been absolutely glued to Chimaev‘s young career in the UFC so far. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll be breaking down Chimaev‘s entire professional fight record in detail, analyzing his explosive fighting style, and discussing what the future may hold for the fighter nicknamed "Borz." Let‘s dive in!
Background on Khamzat Chimaev
First, let‘s start with some background on Chimaev so you can understand his origins. He was born Khamzat Khizarovich Chimaev on May 1st, 1994 in the Chechen Republic. Wrestling seems to be in this guy‘s blood – he started training in the sport at just 5 years old! Chimaev found early success, claiming a bronze medal at the Russian National Junior Wrestling Championships while still developing his skills.
At 18 years old in 2013, Chimaev and his family made the big decision to relocate to Sweden, seeking better opportunities in the Nordic country. The move proved fortuitous for Chimaev‘s athletic career. He continued training and competing in wrestling, ultimately winning Swedish National Championships in the freestyle discipline in both 2016 and 2017. Over the course of his stellar wrestling career, Chimaev compiled an impressive competitive record of 24 wins and 0 losses.
But by 2017, Chimaev was ready for a new challenge at age 23. He joined the Allstars Training Center in Stockholm to pursue a career in mixed martial arts, while still continuing to train wrestling as his base. After getting his feet wet with three amateur bouts, Chimaev was ready to make his pro MMA debut in 2018. Little did he know how quickly he would rise to prominence!
Four Dominant UFC Wins in Three Months
While Chimaev racked up two quick wins under the Brave CF promotion in 2018 and early 2019, it was his UFC debut in 2020 that really put him on the map. Competing as a welterweight, Chimaev put together four straight wins in a mere three month span between July and September 2020. Each performance was more impressive than the last. Let‘s break those fights down in more detail:
Fight #1: vs. John Phillips at UFC Fight Night 172 on July 16th, 2020
In his first Octagon appearance, Chimaev made quick work of knockout artist John Phillips, earning a TKO stoppage just 2:03 into Round 1. From the opening bell, Chimaev pressured Phillips relentlessly, landing 67 total strikes to his opponent‘s 1 before the referee stepped in. It was utter domination showcasing Chimaev‘s frightening blend of pace and power.
Fight #2: vs. Rhys McKee at UFC Fight Night 173 on July 26th, 2020
Chimaev didn‘t waste any time getting back in the cage, returning just 10 days later against late replacement Rhys McKee. Once again, Chimaev‘s wrestling skills were on full display. He secured four takedowns in Round 1, advancing to mount and locking up a rear-naked choke to force McKee‘s tap at 3:09. The win showed Chimaev‘s ability to implement his gameplan and finish fights quickly.
Fight #3: vs. Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Fight Night 178 on September 19th, 2020
The hype train for Chimaev went fully off the rails when he knocked out veteran Gerald Meerschaert in just 17 seconds at UFC Fight Night 178. A blistering straight right hand from Chimaev crashed into Meerschaert‘s chin, flooring him instantly. Chimaev followed up with ruthless ground strikes to get the quick stoppage. With 9 wins and 9 finishes in his first 9 fights, Chimaev had proven he was ready for ranked competition.
Fight #4: vs. Li Jingliang at UFC 267 on October 30th, 2021
After a year-long layoff battling COVID-19 complications, Chimaev returned to action against his first ranked opponent, #11 Li Jingliang. This was clearly Chimaev‘s biggest test to date. Round 1 was a thrilling war as both fighters traded heavy leather on the feet. But late in the round, Chimaev changed levels and secured a takedown into mount. He quickly locked up a rear-naked choke, forcing the tap from Li at 3:16 of Round 1. Though Li tested his resolve, Chimaev proved he deserved to be matched up with the welterweight division‘s best.
Analyzing Chimaev‘s Skill Set and Style
Through his first four UFC fights, Chimaev has exhibited an exciting, fan-friendly style that has captured the MMA world‘s attention. He has a background rooted in wrestling, which remains the cornerstone of his approach. Chimaev has excellent takedown skills, using explosive power doubles and singles to drag opponents to the mat.
On the ground, he‘s adept at passing guard and achieving dominant positions like mount or back mount where he can rain down damage or lock up submissions. Chimaev has registered 7 takedowns over 4 UFC fights with a whopping 83% takedown accuracy.
Of course, wrestling is just one facet of Chimaev‘s game. He‘s proven to have natural punching power, especially in his right hand which has earned him several KOs. Chimaev is super aggressive, constantly pressuring opponents and initiating exchanges. This makes him dangerous in all areas. Across 4 UFC appearances, he‘s landed 175 significant strikes while limiting opponents to just 7. That‘s an absolutely mind-blowing stat!
Chimaev‘s biggest strengths definitely include his pace, physical power, and relentless pressure. He breaks opponents with a suffocating wrestling attack and fight-ending power. Of course, questions remain about his overall skill depth and ability to take damage. But at just 28 years old, all signs point to a very bright future for Khamzat Chimaev. He certainly possesses all the tools to vie for a UFC title.
The Road Ahead to UFC Gold
Chimaev has accomplished more in his first four UFC fights than almost any other newcomer in history. He‘s rocketed to fame both for his scintillating fight style and perfect 10-0 pro record. But Chimaev still has some tests to pass before he earns the chance to fight for a UFC belt.
At the time of writing, Chimaev is still recovering from lingering effects of COVID-19 that have sidelined him since late 2020. The hope is that he can fully regain his health and strength to restart his career in 2025. I‘d expect his next bout to come against a top 5-ranked welterweight to find out if he‘s truly ready for the division‘s elite.
Potential opponents like former champion Tyron Woodley, Colby Covington, or Stephen Thompson would provide the stiff competition Chimaev needs. Of course, an undefeated prospect like Khamzat Chimaev has also drawn callouts from big names like Conor McGregor and even middleweight champ Israel Adesanya. Those would be enormous legacy-building opportunities if they materialize.
Realistically, I envision Chimaev will need 2-3 more wins against the UFC‘s best welterweights before getting a title shot against current champ Kamaru Usman in mid-late 2023. It‘s a rapid rise to glory, but one that Chimaev seems fully capable of if he can stay healthy. At 28 years old with a style tailor-made for capturing fans‘ imaginations, the sky truly seems the limit for the fighter they call Borz. He certainly has all the skills to become Sweden‘s first ever UFC champion.
I hope you enjoyed this comprehensive rundown of Khamzat Chimaev‘s perfect professional record and lightning-quick rise in the UFC. As someone who obsesses over following the sport and analyzing every technique, Chimaev is one of the most exciting fighters I‘ve ever seen enter the Octagon. I can‘t wait to see how the rest of his career unfolds! Let me know your thoughts on Chimaev and who you‘d like to see him fight next in the comments.
