5 nightmare matchups for UFC's biggest hype-trains

Many hype-trains have come and gone throughout the history of the UFC. While some such fighters have met the expectations placed upon them, most eventually get derailed.

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Every fighter on the planet, irrespective of star power, has weaknesses. As such, many fighters labeled "hype trains" tend to run into unfavorable stylistic matchups, which often don't bode well for their momentum.

On that note, here are five nightmare matchups for the UFC's biggest hype trains today.

#5. Bo Nickal vs. Andre Muniz – UFC middleweight division

Bo Nickal burst onto the scene with a couple of scintillating performances on Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS) earlier this year.

The former wrestling standout made his professional MMA debut in June, coming away with a 33-second knockout. He then followed it up with back-to-back first-round submission wins on DWCS to take his record to 3-0.

Nickal's dominant performances thus far have made him a dangerous prospect to keep an eye on at 185 pounds.

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Bo Nickal's wrestling pedigree is on another level when compared to his peers. The three-time NCAA Division 1 national champion is a menace on the mat and it's hard to imagine any other middleweight countering or even negating Nickal's wrestling offense.

Nickal will likely be a heavy betting favorite going into any fights against strikers as the wrestling disparity is far too wide to fill. However, the American phenom might struggle against world class submission specialists. His style will not intimidate a high-level grappler, who will be more than happy to get taken down.

Andre Muniz, the No.11-ranked middleweight contender in the UFC, is arguably the most intriguing matchup for Nickal in the top 15. Muniz is a potent threat on the mat, having already accrued 15 submission wins in his professional career. Moreover, the Brazilian has never tasted defeat in the UFC.

Both Nickal and Muniz are working their way towards a shot at the 185-pound title. If they do run into one another along the way, this wrestling vs. jiu-jitsu matchup will be very telling indeed.

Bo Nickal (left) and Andre Muniz (right) [Images via @bonickal1 and @andremunizsergipano on Instagram]

#4. Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Gilbert Burns – UFC welterweight division

Shavkat Rakhmonov has emerged as an ominous presence in the UFC welterweight division. The unbeaten Kazakh phenom boasts an exceptional professional record of 16-0, with all of his wins coming via finishes. 'Nomad' is as well-rounded as one can expect, with eight knockouts and eight submissions under his belt.

Since signing with the UFC in 2020, Rakhmonov has already racked up four wins to break into the top 10 at 170 pounds.

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His last win, a dominant showing against perennial contender Neil Magny, saw him climb to the No.10 spot in the rankings. Shavkat Rakhmonov's diverse arsenal makes him a nightmare matchup for almost anybody he fights, so would give him the toughest test?

Gilbert Burns, widely regarded among the best welterweights on the planet, will likely be a tough outing for Rakhmonov. 'Durinho' is a highly proficient operator on the mat and it would be unwise to get involved in grappling exchanges with the Brazilian, who is also very strong.

Burns also has tremendous power in his fists, with six submission wins on his record. His memorable slugfest with Khamzat Chimaev is a decent indicator as to how a matchup with Rakhmonov would play out. The Chimaev vs. Burns bout was pretty evenly-contested and many believe the Brazilian deserved the judges' nod.

Across Rakhmonov's career so far, we haven't seen him get thoroughly tested. It remains to be seen how he deals with adversity, as he doesn't have the in-cage experience of being in deep waters. An experienced and dangerous veteran like Burns will show where the Kazakh stands among the welterweight elite.

Shavkat Rakhmonov (left) & Gilbert Burns (right) [Images via @shavkatrakhmonov94 & @gilbert_burns]

#3. Paddy Pimblett vs. Arman Tsarukyan – UFC lightweight division

Paddy Pimblett was a superstar long before signing with the UFC in 2021. The Liverpudlian was among the biggest stars in UK-based promotion Cage Warriors prior to joining the UFC, and his star power has reached astronomical heights ever since.

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Paddy Pimblett notably turned down the UFC on three occasions before eventually signing with the American promotion last year to ensure that he would be ready for the big leagues when the time came. His infectious personality and all-action fighting style has seen his stock blow up, but there are some nightmare matchups waiting for him.

Pimblett's weaknesses appear to be clear as day. His striking defense is suspect and he often gets caught with huge punches. Nevertheless, his chin has held up thus far. Additionally, the Brit tends to struggle against good wrestlers, who can hold him down and stifle his submission threat.

Unfortunately for Pimblett, the lightweight division is stacked with high-level talent. He will have to continue to improve with every passing fight if he is to compete with top-tier lightweights. Arman Tsarukyan, one of the most highly touted prospects at 155 pounds, will certainly pose a challenging matchup for 'The Baddy'.

Tsarukyan is as well-rounded as they come and has the tools to halt Pimblett's grappling entanglements. He currently occupies the No.9 spot in the rankings and has even called out the Scouse sensation, despite Pimblett not even being in the top 15.

Arman Tsarukyan has called for a fight with Paddy Pimblett.👀😳
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#2. Sean O'Malley vs. Umar Nurmagomedov – UFC bantamweight division

Since his viral knockout in the inaugural season of Dana White's Contender Series, Sean O'Malley's ability to draw the masses has compounded with every passing fight. The colorful bantamweight contender is certainly a polarizing figure, with many questioning his skills, ceiling and championship potential.

Nonetheless, O'Malley remains one win away from becoming the undisputed champion at 135 pounds.

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The UFC undoubtedly slow-played Sean O'Malley's progression and seemingly gave him somewhat favorable matchups as he worked his way into the top 15. Despite being ranked outside the top 10, 'Sugar' was offered a fight against No.1 contender Petr Yan and came away with a narrow split-decision win to vault himself into the bantamweight title mix.

There are still quite a few questions yet to be answered about O'Malley's skillset. While he's unquestionably a world-class striker, his ability on the mat is a huge question mark. Yan was able to take him down multiple times but didn't really do enough damage as 'Sugar's submission attacks off his back were influential.

It would be an assumption to conclude that grapplers like Aljamain Sterling and wrestlers like Merab Dvalishvili would have a field day with O'Malley. However, a high-level grappler with a potent striking threat would be a real danger to the No.1-ranked contender, and Umar Nurmagomedov fits the bill.

Nurmagomedov is still quite far off the top tier of the division. Nevertheless, there's a certain aura around the fighters who hail from Khabib Nurmagomedov's team. Umar, in particular, boasts an excellent stand-up game, which coupled with his signature Dagestani wrestling, is a bad matchup for O'Malley.

Sean O'Malley (left) Umar & Khabib Nurmagomedov (right) [Images via @sugasean & @umar_nurmagomedov on Instagram]

#1. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker – UFC middleweight division

Khamzat Chimaev is without a shadow of a doubt one of the best fighters in the UFC. The Chechen-born Swede enjoyed a stellar run in 2020, racking up three wins over the course of two months in dominant fashion unlike anything seen previously.

Chimaev then broke into the welterweight rankings in emphatic fashion, defeating Li Jingliang to break into the top 15 and Gilbert Burns to work his way into the title picture. 'Borz' boasts an unblemished 12-0 record comprising 11 finishes and one would be hard-pressed to find a nightmare matchup for him.

Many believed Gilbert Burns would pose a threat to Khamzat Chimaev, considering the Brazilian's far superior jiu-jitsu prowess. Chimaev was able to avoid grappling exchanges and outstruck Burns on the feet to come away with the win.

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Perhaps the worst possible matchup for 'Borz' is a fighter with stellar takedown defense and world-class striking. While top middleweights Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira are world-class stand-up technicians, their wrestling defense isn't their strong suit.

Robert Whittaker appears to be the worst possible matchup for Chimaev. The Australian's two wars with Olympic wrestler Yoel Romero are a testament to his defensive wrestling, and he is widely considered among the best strikers in the division.

Chimaev will likely do his best work in the UFC's middleweight division. A fight against Whittaker might've been inevitable until the duo seemingly hinted at hopes of training with each other earlier this year. If it somehow comes to fruition, this appears to be the toughest test of Chimaev's career.

Robert Whittaker knows a Khamzat Chimaev fight would be “tricky” for him 🐺

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