You may be wondering what lies ahead for Khamzat Chimaev following his latest victory at UFC 308, where he firmly established himself at the top of the middleweight division. With an undefeated record, Chimaev has his sights set firmly on the championship title. He stated at the post-fight news conference, “It doesn’t matter Sean or Dricus, just going for the gold. So we’ll see what happens next. I’m ready.”
If you’re keen to explore the potential matchups for Chimaev, there are several exciting possibilities on the horizon. One likely contender is the current UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, who is set to face Sean Strickland in early 2025. However, du Plessis has expressed a strong interest in fighting Chimaev after witnessing his impressive stoppage of Robert Whittaker. In his own words on social media, he shared, “Feel really sorry for Rob, he looked super ready but this is the fight game well done on a good performance Khamzat. That being said, I can’t wait to take your 0.”
In terms of grappling skills, Chimaev seems unfazed by du Plessis. He pointed out, “How I did with this guy, Rob, and how he done? Rob took him down, so if Rob took him down, there is salam alaikum (against me).” This determination showcases Chimaev’s confidence heading into future encounters.
An alternative matchup you should consider is against Sean Strickland, who is likely eyeing a rematch for the championship. Chimaev has claimed that he has successfully tapped out Strickland multiple times during their training sessions. He remarked, “Sean Strickland, we’ve been in the gym. We have some stuff not done yet, so that would be good history as well.” This bout would certainly attract attention, especially considering the history and rivalry they’ve shared in training.
If pursuing a title fight isn’t feasible for Chimaev’s next matchup, you might find a clash with former champion Israel Adesanya intriguing. Chimaev himself stated, “For me, Adesanya would be a good money fight because he has a big name.” This fight presents a classic striker vs. grappler scenario that would undoubtedly excite fans of mixed martial arts.
Lastly, although less likely, keep an eye on Marvin Vettori, who ranks in the top 7 of the middleweight division but has not fought in over a year. The Italian fighter has shown mixed results in his last five outings and is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Jared Cannonier in June 2023. A fight against Vettori could serve as an interesting measure of Chimaev’s skills against an established contender.
As you can see, there are numerous intriguing possibilities for what’s next for Khamzat Chimaev. Whether it’s a title shot, a showdown with a prominent name in the division, or a rivalry rekindled, the next steps for Chimaev are sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
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