Khamzat Chimaev quickly established himself as a dominant grappler upon signing with the UFC. The undefeated fighter impressed with nearly flawless performances, but he also demonstrated serious knockout power early in his career through a Khamzat Chimaev devastating one punch.
In his third UFC fight in 2020, Chimaev stopped Gerald Meerschaert in only 17 seconds, showcasing his striking ability beyond his grappling dominance. This mix of skills made him a formidable presence in the Octagon from the start.
Former training partner Darren Till expressed confidence in Chimaev’s striking, suggesting he could deliver a knockout with his precise right hand in the upcoming UFC 319 middleweight title bout against Dricus du Plessis.
Before UFC, Chimaev Knocked Out Undefeated Ikram Aliskerov With a Single Punch
Prior to joining the UFC, Khamzat Chimaev competed in Brave CF, where he exhibited his potential with swift and decisive victories. Out of his four opponents in this promotion, only one managed to survive past the first round.
At Brave CF 23 in 2019, Chimaev faced Ikram Aliskerov, another undefeated prospect at 8-0, while Chimaev held a 4-0 record. Although Aliskerov appeared to be knocked down early, he defended well against Chimaev’s aggressive grappling attempts.
The fight’s momentum shifted dramatically midway through the first round when Chimaev skillfully evaded a jab and unleashed a powerful uppercut. This punch instantly floored Aliskerov, sending his mouthpiece flying and confirming Chimaev’s striking threat beyond his ground game.
Ikram Aliskerov’s Path to the UFC and Continued Success
Following his loss to Chimaev, Ikram Aliskerov continued competing in Brave CF but later made the jump to the UFC in 2022, where he joined his former opponent on the same roster. Since signing, Aliskerov has delivered impressive performances, finishing multiple fights in the first round.
His first UFC defeat occurred in a high-profile main event in Saudi Arabia last June, when he replaced Chimaev to face Robert Whittaker. Despite this setback, Aliskerov rebounded quickly with another first-round finish against Andre Muniz, signaling his continued rise in the middleweight division.
These developments underscore the talent present in both fighters, whose careers intersected before both made significant impacts inside the UFC cage. With Chimaev’s striking and grappling versatility and Aliskerov’s resilience and finishing ability, fans can expect notable matchups and performances from these contenders going forward.