Training partner explains how Khamzat Chimaev's gameplan is misunderstood and why 'Borz' will win against Dricus du Plessis or Sean Strickland
One of Khamzat Chimaev's training partners, Abdoul Abdouraguimov, has just come out in defense of 'Borz's' critics. In particular, he addressed Chimaev's gameplan, with many in the MMA world describing him as an overly aggressive one-round fighter without much thought. Abdouraguimov, however, disputes this.
He had a recent and exclusive sitdown with Bloody Elbow, during which he detailed his experience training with the unbeaten UFC middleweight contender. According to Abdouraguimov, there's a definite method to Chimaev's madness, it's merely overlooked due to his aggression, relentlessness, and physicality.
"I saw with Khamzat Chimaev that everybody thinks he's a savage and barbaric fighter, but he's a very smart fighter. He knows he's strong, but he also recognizes his weaknesses so he's not stupid and just going forward."
When asked about Chimaev's prospects of becoming the UFC middleweight champion, which would require him to face whoever emerges victorious at UFC 312 between Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland, there was only one answer.
"I think yes, because he's working and his wrestling is very good. The wrestling of a lot of MMA fighters is not very good. They might have a good defense, but high-level wrestling is rare."
Chimaev was pushed by some to fight du Plessis for the title, before embarking on a bizarre spree targeting Strickland. He deliberately tagged the wrong accounts on X/Twitter while poking fun at the former middleweight titleholder. However, now with UFC 312 headlined by a 185-pound title fight, Chimaev will watch closely.
Many had him pegged as a future champion almost as soon as he made his promotional debut, and he now appears to be on the cusp of fulfilling his destiny.
Khamzat Chimaev has recently beaten several UFC champions
Khamzat Chimaev has drawn tremendous attention for his undefeated record. However, his last two wins are among his most important. He most recently defeated former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, running through him en route to an extremely dominant first-round submission win at UFC 308.
Check out Khamzat Chimaev submitting Robert Whittaker:
Chimaev's face crank even dislocated Whittaker's jaw, which was largely due to a preexisting health issue. Before that fight, he had beaten ex-welterweight kingpin Kamaru Usman in a hard-fought majority decision win at UFC 294.