5 reasons why Khamzat Chimaev could become the next UFC welterweight champion

Khamzat Chimaev took the UFC by storm last year during the opening show for Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE. On Fight Island 1, Chimaev fought John Phillips in his debut with the organization and won by submission. The rising welterweight star truly caught fire after returning ten days later only to finish another UFC caliber opponent by TKO with ground and pound.

Clocking in twice in just ten days, Chimaev built a mysterious yet palpable energy around himself. Some have already drawn comparisons between Chimaev's style and the methods of Khabib Nurmagomedov. Despite the comparisons, 'Borz' is ready to establish his own identity.

Khamzat Chimaev competes at 170 and 185-pounds, with a pang of hunger yet to be satiated.

After a torturous bout with COVID-19, Khamzat Chimaev returned to action at UFC 267 against Li Jingliang. Hype surrounded the contest. Similar to the dominance he showed in his prior UFC showings, Chimaev was back with a chip on his shoulder.

Khamzat Chimaev and Jingliang Li face off

In a display of octagon brilliance, Chimaev secured his fourth consecutive victory in the UFC. After submitting 'The Leech' within a single round, the Chechen-Swede showed many signs of a future champion. Today we take a look at five reasons why Khamzat Chimaev could become the next ruler of the 170-pound weight class.

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#5. Khamzat Chimaev packs unassuming power

Before his time in the UFC, Khamzat Chimaev had recognizable stopping power. The thud behind his relentless ground and pound strikes rang from his amateur days.

As an opportunistic fighter, the 27-year-old explores the perceived weak points in an opponent's game. For instance, when contending with a grappler, Chimaev prefers to take the fight where the foe is least comfortable.

One fight in particular that showcased Khamzat Chimaev's power was his 17-second knockout against Gerald Meerschaert. Chimaev managed to secure the finish without a glove being laid on him. If the one-punch knockout wasn't impressive enough, the rising star landed it against a natural and credentialed middleweight.

Khamzat Chimaev has a dynamic striking system. Additionally, the young upstart has already shown his ground and pound to be among the best in the 170-pound weight class. Granted, he's not sleeping fighters like Kamaru Usman did against Gilbert Burns, but it's clear there's power behind Chimaev's relentless offense.

Specifically, when paired against Rhys McKee, the power was evident behind Chimaev's ground and pound. Khamzat Chimaev was able to score his first TKO in the UFC and proved why he's such a potent double threat at 170-pounds. In a division drunk with talent, it appears Chimaev is already knocking on the door for a title shot, and it's not a quiet knock.

#4. Khamzat Chimaev is a double threat

Khamzat Chimaev has proven himself to be a dual threat in the octagon. Following his first two victories in the UFC, it was clear the BRAVE CF veteran would be problematic for whichever division he erected his flag in.

After breaking a modern-day record for quickest fight turnaround time, the UFC matched Khamzat Chimaev with his toughest test yet, well, at least it seemed that way on paper.

Gerald Meerschaert is a renowned black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Many thought that if Chimaev employed his usual takedown tactics, then they would be met with tactical resistance. While the method of thinking seemed reasonable, perhaps 'GM3' did not account for Chimaev's willingness to engage on the feet.

In a performance where he didn't absorb a single strike, Khamzat Chimaev demolished Meerschaert. In what was poised to be his toughest test to date, he flew by unchallenged with a one-punch knockout. While the performance pushed Khamzat Chimaev's star to unforeseen heights, an unfortunate COVID-19 diagnosis halted his momentum for much of 2021.

Khamzat Chimaev fighting Gerald Meerschaert

In contrast to his handiwork while standing, the 27-year-old outmaneuvered the No. 11-ranked Li Jingliang, before choking him to sleep. Khamzat Chimaev defeated Li, took his ranking, and showed why he's such a well-rounded double threat in the welterweight division.

With four wildly successful performances, it appears 'Borz' is headed towards title discussions.

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#3. Khamzat Chimaev has impressive fight IQ

Despite his young age, Khamzat Chimaev's cognitive approach in combat makes him a tricky opponent to predict and anticipate. Whether it's striking or grappling exchanges, Chimaev's speed and fight IQ could see him reach the pinnacle of 170-pounds in the UFC.

In fights where the rising upstart feels he may be outstruck, the blue-chip prospect knows where to take the action. Since Meerschaert was known for his grappling, Chimaev was quick to force the issue while standing.

Conversely, in a BRAVE CF appearance earlier in his career, Chimaev faced the then-unbeaten Mzwandile Hlongwa. Interestingly, Hlongwa is known for his knockout potential, having scored four knockouts/TKOs in a total of six fights. During the contest, Khamzat Chimaev dictated the action by lunging for a takedown almost immediately.

Once Chimaev secured the takedown, he anticipated his opponents' movements during grappling exchanges. Similar to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Chimaev's fight IQ is a difficult hurdle to prepare for. While Chimaev has a knack for submissions, it seems the rising star relishes the damage caused by ground and pound too.

With the ability to control where the fight goes, Khamzat Chimaev could become the next welterweight champion, given his overall fight IQ. Since the welterweight is anticipatory when he fights, it will always be difficult to decipher which route he will decide to take the contest.

#2. Khamzat Chimaev is a fast starter

Even though Khamzat Chimaev has only had four fights in the UFC, they have all ended somewhat quickly. After making a name for himself on Fight Island last year, the welterweight had already set his name ablaze in the UFC. Once he dispatched Meerschaert, many began to understand that not only is 'Borz' a speed demon in each fight, but he's becoming a star of the sport.

Thus far, Khamzat Chimaev's longest fight came in his UFC debut against John Phillips. The welterweight made it to round two before succumbing to a D'Arce choke. Outside of his contest with Phillips, Chimaev's other three octagon appearances have all ended within the first round.

The 27-year-old's tendency to end fights quickly did not start in the UFC. Engrained in his fighting style, 'Borz' made quick work of his first few opponents. In his second professional MMA bout, Chimaev submitted Ole Magnor within a single round. Khamzat Chimaev's tendency to start fast will help accelerate him toward a UFC title shot.

Whether it's a submission or a finishing sequence while striking, Khamzat Chimaev is extremely dangerous in the opening segments of any fight. Granted, the welterweight is a few steps away from challenging for welterweight gold, but he does have all of the prerequisites to be an exciting new challenger to the throne.

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#1. Khamzat Chimaev has the personality to ascend up the 170-pound ladder

It's no secret that sometimes, to earn a title shot, fighters have to do more than fight; they have to promote themselves. Khamzat Chimaev has not been shy about his intentions in the UFC. The welterweight star is keen on rising to the top and 'eating and killing' all who stand in his way.

Khamzat Chimaev has the right personality to become a UFC star. With just the proper amount of mystique, many wonder just how good 'Borz' really is. Equipped with lightning-quick performances and a rounded-out skillset, it appears his ceiling in the UFC is sky-high.

While his callouts of Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman might have missed the mark today, tomorrow could be different, given Khamzat Chimaev's meteoric rise. In his last fight against Li Jingliang, Chimaev reached new heights after picking Li up off the ground and slamming him in front of UFC president Dana White.

Reminiscent of Nurmagomedov's performance against Michael Johnson, Chimaev understands the UFC hype machine. With yet another performance where he was hardly touched, the mystique of Chimaev grows.

Khamzat Chimaev's chances at a title shot continue to amplify in the wake of some of the most one-sided octagon beatings seen in the UFC.