JOE ROGAN has revealed his theory on Khamzat Chimaev’s success in the UFC ahead of his middleweight title clash with Sean Strickland.
Fan favourite Chimaev will make his maiden defence of the promotion’s 185lbs strap against the controversial former champion at UFC 328 in New Jersey on May 9.
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Khamzat Chimaev defends his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 328Credit: UFC
The Russian mauled Dricus Du Plessis last August to get his hands on UFC gold Credit: GETTY
The Russian has run roughshod since debuting in MMA‘s top promotion Fight Island back in 2020,
Barring Gerald Meerschaert, whom he knocked out, Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman, Chimaev has ragdolled everyone he’s faced with his relentless wrestling.
Rogan, 58, has been immensely impressed by the speed of Chimaev’s shot and the suffocating top pressure he’s showcased after grounding his opponents
But the close nature of Chimaev’s hard-fought victory over former welterweight king Kamaru Usman, another highly-skilled wrestler, in October 2023 has the veteran commentator believing the fan favourite’s ferociousness is hindered when the grappling playing field is somewhat levelled.
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Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling has been integral to the majority of his victories inside the cage Credit: GETTY
UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes the Chechen only excels in the wrestling department against opponents who aren’t proficient in that facet of the sport Credit: GETTY
During a recent episode of his Joe Rogan Experience podcast, the veteran commentator said of Chimaev: “His timing on his takedowns is insane, it’s so good.
“If I was going to make an argument against him, he’s handling guys that don’t have a big background in elite wrestling, they’re not elite grapplers.
“The one guy who was an elite grappler gave him problems… Kamaru Usman.
‘That was a short-notice fight and in the third round Kamaru was winning.
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“That would’ve been very interesting if it was a five-round fight.”
The takedown defence of former champion Strickland will be well and truly tested by Chimaev.
But Rogan can foresee a scenario where the Chechen clubber will have to use a different approach to get his hand raised.
He said: “The Strickland and Khamzat fight is going to be very interesting.
“Strickland is not an easy guy to take down and he’s not an easy guy to hold down.
“And he’s a very difficult guy to hit on his feet, he’s got a super awkward style.
“His style is very clever, it’s very different, it’s not something that’s easy to replicate as far as timing in the gym.
“His jab is so accurate… To me, it’s gonna be what can Khamzat do on the feet?
“Can he clip him and can Strickland stop the takedowns?”
