5 reasons why Khamzat Chimaev might be the next welterweight champion
Khamzat Chimaev is the latest sensation in the UFC. A fighter with a frame suited for both welterweight and middleweight, the Chechen phenom has taken the promotion by storm. Behind him is a long line of supposed future champions who once seemed primed for greatness but ultimately fell short.
The likes of Sage Northcutt and Paige VanZant were once heralded as the next generation of MMA fighters and future champions. Rising bantamweight star Sean O'Malley is another such fighter who appears to possess the necessary skills to one day challenge for his division's title. Unfortunately, 'Sugar' has been unsuccessful in his attempts at facing top 10 bantamweights.
Khamzat Chimaev is a different beast altogether. After his thrilling war against Gilbert Burns at UFC 273, 'Borz' came to understand that in order to overcome the division's elite, he must ready himself for foes who will not simply roll over when faced with his fearsome combination of knockout power and wrestling. It is a lesson that Chimaev seems to have internalized. Thus, this list covers five reasons why Khamzat Chimaev is potentially the next welterweight champion.
#5. Khamzat Chimaev's frame
Standing at 6 feet and 2 inches in height, Khamzat Chimaev is a massive welterweight who eclipses nearly every single fighter in the division. In fact, 'Borz' is so large that he's even taller and possesses a longer reach than former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. While Chimaev's large frame might seem like a superficial reason for why he's a potential future champion, a glimpse at past UFC champions illustrates why it's a legitimate reason.
Daniel Cormier: Size difference biggest issue for Gilbert Burns vs. Khamzat Chimaev dlvr.it/SN0vbh https://t.co/nqq0kE32Nq
From the likes of Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Deiveson Figueiredo, Charles Oliveira, Kamaru Usman, Tyron Woodley, Jiří Procházka and Amanda Nunes, it is clear that most champions are often significantly larger than their opponents. Khamzat Chimaev is no exception to that rule. Being larger and more powerful than possibly every other welterweight in the division can only benefit him as he embarks on his highly anticipated title run.