When Khamzat Chimaev enters the octagon, the MMA world pays attention. Over the years, he has crafted his persona as a fearsome, unbeatable force of nature who has put away every obstacle that came in his path to reach the UFC gold. As UFC 319 comes closer, the million-dollar question becomes louder than ever: Is “Borz” a legitimate future champion, or just a hype train?
Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC run so far
Chimaev made his UFC debut almost five years ago, submitting John Phillips in the second round. He then made one of the quickest turnarounds in UFC history to fight Rhys McKee, putting McKee away in the early minutes of the fight to earn his second victory within just 10 days. Further, Chimaev continued to switch weight classes, defeating Gerald Meerschaert and submitting Li Jingliang.
While Khamzat Chimaev’s early UFC run was effortlessly dominant, his fights against top-tier contenders like Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman provided a much clearer picture of his skills and vulnerabilities. These two fights pushed him in ways his previous opponents were not able to, providing context to his seemingly ‘perfect’ record.
Just as doubts about his championship-level potential were peaking, Chimaev silenced his critics with a dominant first-round submission victory against former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.
Even though he hasn’t fought all the top middleweight contenders, after his dominant victory against Whittaker, he will deservingly fight for the title against the current champion, Dricus Du Plessis, in Chicago, Illinois, on August 16, 2025.
The Final Verdict
In Chimaev’s eight-fight UFC career, we have seen everything. From utter domination to close escapes. Some say he is a future star, while some find it hard to believe in the hype. In reality, he might be a mix of both, as his reputation isn’t just built on his wins, it’s built on the way he wins. His intensity, aggression, and the chaos he brings into the cage have made him a fan favourite.
Whether he becomes the champion or not, “Borz” has already left his mark on the sport. Win or lose, people tune in. And in MMA, that matters just as much as the titles. For now, the hype is real and well-earned. As he approaches the biggest fight of his career, the spotlights will be bigger than ever, and it will be on him to show the world whether he is the real deal or not.
Subscribe
