5 reasons why Khamzat Chimaev will find more championship success at middleweight

After a disastrous end to Khamzat Chimaev's weight cut for his canceled UFC 279 bout with Nate Diaz, the MMA world was up in arms. Many narrowed their focus on Chimaev's apparent unprofessionalism. Even after the undefeated Chechen phenom disclosed the medical nature of his reasons for abandoning the weight cut, he garnered no sympathy.

Some suggested that if doctors did indeed advise him to stop his weight cut, he's better suited for a career at middleweight instead of welterweight.

At the UFC 279 post-fight press conference, UFC President Dana White was asked by journalists if he should perhaps move Khamzat Chimaev into the middleweight division on a more permanent basis. White seemed to agree with the sentiments, even while echoing Chimaev's assertion that doctors had advised him to stop the weight cut.

However, a future in the middleweight division might be more beneficial to Khamzat Chimaev. Upon closer inspection, his chances of capturing UFC gold at middleweight might be even better than his chances at welterweight, and this list details 5 reasons why.

#5. Khamzat Chimaev is the best wrestler at 185

Wrestling is the most important base in MMA. The ability to ground and control one's opponent on the mat enables fighters to determine the phases of their bouts.

Being able to determine whether a fight will remain standing or go to the ground is a powerful tool that disrupts an opponent's ability to strike comfortably due to the threat of the takedown. No one is willing to throw a punch if squaring one's hips overexposes them to takedowns.

The welterweight division consists of countless wrestlers from Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington and Belal Muhammad to Sean Brady, Michael Chiesa and Shavkat Rakhmonov. The 185 lbs weight class is different, with only Derek Brunson and Kelvin Gastelum being credentialed wrestlers.

While Marvin Vettori has transformed into a serviceable wrestler, his skills pale in comparison to Khamzat Chimaev.

🐺 @KChimaev back in action!

Borz took on Jack Hermansson in a two-round wrestling match back in Sweden at Bulldog Fight Night 9 and looked formidable.

🎥 @FrontkickOnline https://t.co/rSOzSHtRvC

At middleweight, Chimaev will undoubtedly be the most credentialed and effective wrestler in the division. A varied and powerful wrestler who chains his takedowns and is equally adept at shooting for the legs as he is at pursuing bodylocks, 'Borz' also ensures that he creates openings for his takedowns using his striking.

He primarily uses kicks, typically alternating between round kicks and front kicks. Front kicks that land force his opponents to straighten their posture.

By causing his foes to stand tall, Khamzat Chimaev narrows their base. If his opponent's feet are too close together, their footing and balance will be too poor for them to defend takedowns by widening their base or exploding their hips back. Alternatively, a round kick draws a counterpunch from his foe.

However, the moment Chimaev lifts his leg to fake the kick, he ducks under his opponent's punch to shoot in on their squared hips as they load up.

At 185 lbs, no one possesses the breadth of technical skill that Khamzat Chimaev demonstrates with his wrestling. He is just as relentless as Derek Brunson in his pursuit of takedowns, but is far more intelligent in doing so as 'Borz' is rarely, if ever, countered on his way inside. In a division with almost no elite wrestlers, Chimaev will be a force to be reckoned with.