Although he has been a sensation at welterweight so far, rising UFC star Khamzat Chimaev will focus on middleweight gold later in the year.
The Chechen-born Swede moved into the top five in the 170-pound division with wins over Li Jingliang and Gilbert Burns. Last September, however, Chimaev found himself in the midst of controversy after his significant weight loss prompted a massive roster change for UFC 279. In the aftermath, his future in the division looked to be outstanding, “Borz” calling fighters from multiple weight classes. The next step was ultimately a pause in his welterweight ambitions, with Chimaev set to return to middleweight for the first time since knocking out Gerald Meerschaert in 2020.
Kevin Holland sees Khamzat Chimaev win
At UFC 294 next October, the number 4 in the 77-kilo category will try to enter directly into contention in the top division, where he will meet former title challenger Paulo Costa. Since the fight was confirmed, predictions and assessments vary. A man familiar with Khamzat Chimaev’s skills recently gave his opinion, and he expects the Chechen-born Swede to dominate the 84-kilo even more.
Last year, when Chimaev failed to meet the weight limit, his main event fight against Nate Diaz was called off. Kevin Holland showed up to face “Borz” on one day’s notice. The “Trailblazer” was finally submitted after one round during their fight.
During an interview with Helen Yee, Holland discussed Chimaev’s return to middleweight, a division that “Big Mouth” himself was ranked in before dropping out in early 2022.
“I’ve always rated Chimaev,” Craig told Middle Easy. “He’s (got) that scary Russian grappling mode, you know, that those guys have got. So, I reckon he should be able to impose his will on Costa. But Costa’s this big, powerful 185er, so it’s going to be interesting to see. That’s why the UFC has made this.
“But if I was a betting man, then I would go for Chimaev to finish him, probably under three rounds. I don’t see that going the distance. I feel that Chimaev will just out-grapple him and wear him down, and as I say, it’ll be that dotted jiu-jitsu that will help him seal that victory. But as I say, Costa, especially on that secret juice, who knows how he’ll do against him.”
Although he acknowledges that Costa will be the toughest test for Chimaev so far, Holland predicts that “Borz” will put on even more impressive displays at the top weight class.
“It should be a lot of fun,” Holland said. “I think a lot of people forget that Paulo Costa was undefeated until he lost to Izzy (Israel Adesanya). So I think a lot of people forget how good Paulo Costa is. So I think this is probably the toughest fight Chimaev will have to put up so far, especially because of his size.”
“I think Chimaev at 84 kilos will probably be even more dominant than he was at 77. He doesn’t have such a bad cut. He can feel more comfortable,” Holland continues. “I think it’s a good fight. The guy looks like he’s getting a little bigger. I think they’re going to get along well and compete.”
Chimaev will no doubt be looking to prove Holland’s assessment correct by making a statement against ‘Borrachinha’ in Abu Dhabi. If he pulls it off impressively, perhaps an immediate shot at winning the Israel Adesanya title awaits him soon after. In any case Adesanya is ready for him.
Craig (17-6-1 MMA, 9-6-1 UFC) expressed interest in fighting Chimaev after stopping Muniz. At light heavyweight, Craig has finished the likes of former UFC champion Jamahal Hill, former title challenger Magomed Ankalaev, and top contender Nikita Krylov.
