UFC commentator Joe Rogan has raised a significant question regarding Khamzat Chimaev’s undefeated record leading up to UFC 328. Chimaev is set to defend his middleweight title against Sean Strickland. While the fight is already a major draw, Rogan’s recent comments introduce a new angle: whether Chimaev’s dominance has been against opponents lacking elite wrestling backgrounds.
On his podcast, Rogan pointed out that Chimaev has often faced fighters who, while dangerous in other areas, do not possess a strong foundation in elite wrestling. Rogan highlighted Chimaev’s bout against Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 as an example. Usman, a highly skilled grappler, reportedly gave Chimaev trouble, especially in the later rounds, despite taking the fight on short notice and at a higher weight class.
“Khamzat is handling guys that don’t have a big background in elite wrestling; they’re not elite wrestlers,” Rogan stated. “The guy that he fought who was an elite grappler and gave him problems was Kamaru Usman. Usman took the fight on short notice at 185 lbs, and in the third round Kamaru was winning. That would have been a very interesting fight if it was a 5-round fight and if Kamaru had a full camp.”
Rogan’s argument suggests that Chimaev’s formidable wrestling and grappling style, which has been the cornerstone of his success in closing distance, securing takedowns, and controlling opponents, might not be as overwhelmingly effective against fighters with a comparable wrestling pedigree. Chimaev’s background includes national wrestling titles in Sweden, showcasing his roots in the sport.
The fight against Usman, which Chimaev won by majority decision, is cited by Rogan as evidence. Although Chimaev secured significant control time and multiple takedowns, Usman was able to compete effectively in the striking exchanges during the third round. Rogan posits that with a full training camp and the standard five-round format, Usman might have presented an even greater challenge.
While this analysis doesn’t diminish Chimaev’s achievements, including his submission victory over Robert Whittaker and his middleweight championship win, Rogan’s comments tap into an ongoing discussion about Chimaev’s ability to maintain his dominance against opponents who can effectively defend his wrestling and extend the fight.
The upcoming bout against Sean Strickland, though Strickland may not boast Usman’s wrestling credentials, presents another test. Strickland is known for his toughness, disciplined striking, and ability to grind opponents down over the rounds. Rogan’s critique sharpens the focus on UFC 328: can Chimaev overcome another top middleweight contender, or will the fight become a deeper, more contested battle, as suggested by the Usman fight?