Khamzat Chimaev secured the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 319, defeating Dricus du Plessis with a dominant performance that lasted all five rounds on Saturday. The undefeated fighter utilized his wrestling to control the fight, earning a unanimous decision and capturing the middleweight belt. Chimaev entered the bout as the betting favorite against du Plessis, a respected champion known for wins over Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, and Robert Whittaker. Despite Chimaev’s rise, former champion Sean Strickland has stepped forward, asserting that he is the only fighter capable of matching Chimaev’s grappling skills.
Strickland asserts his grappling superiority over the new champion
Sean Strickland, who previously held the UFC middleweight title before du Plessis, wasted no time responding to Chimaev’s victory. Strickland lost to du Plessis at UFC 312 in February and now claims to be the only fighter able to outgrapple Chimaev. Having been a training partner of Chimaev, Strickland expressed confidence in his wrestling ability compared to the champion’s.
Im probably the only one in the UFC that can outgrapple that little w—- for 5 rounds,
Strickland wrote on X following the fight.
“You understand that ive done it on many occasions lol…. on every occasion,”
he continued.
Yeah man……. I promise you I out grapple him in 5 rounds any day of the week.
He added,
Im telling you man when he was in the gym I would outwrestle him. He would have a solid 4 minutes of dry humping my legs and then utterly break lol,
demonstrating his belief in his advantage on the mat.
Strickland currently boasts a takedown defense rate of 76%, reinforcing his claim as a formidable opponent for Chimaev’s wrestling-heavy style.
Contenders line up for a shot at Khamzat Chimaev’s title
The middleweight division is shaping up for high-stakes competition as several top contenders await their chance against Chimaev. Fighters like Anthony Hernandez and Reinier de Ridder have improved their standing with recent main event wins over Roman Dolidze and Robert Whittaker, positioning themselves as potential challengers. Additionally, a notable fight between Imavov and Borralho is scheduled for September 6, which could impact the title picture. With multiple fighters eager to dethrone Chimaev, the division remains highly competitive and uncertain moving forward.
The future of the middleweight division under Khamzat Chimaev’s reign
Khamzat Chimaev’s emergence as the UFC middleweight champion marks a pivotal moment for the division, as he has shown dominance and wrestling prowess that few can challenge. Sean Strickland’s public challenge highlights the rivalry brewing at the top, setting the stage for a potential showdown that fans eagerly anticipate. Meanwhile, other contenders continue to build momentum, ensuring that the middleweight belt will not be defended without fierce competition. How Chimaev responds to these challenges will likely shape the division’s landscape in the coming months.