5 ways Khamzat Chimaev can change the landscape of the UFC

#4. Khamzat Chimaev could become the first fighter to beat Israel Adesanya at middleweight

Israel Adesanya's accomplishments in the UFC have been nothing short of extraordinary. The enigmatic Kiwi has blossomed into one of the most entertaining fighters on the planet over the last few years. His performances atop the 185-pound division are adding to the aura of invincibility that surrounds him.

'The Last Stylebender' has already handily beaten most of the top contenders at middleweight, including Robert Whittaker (twice), Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori (twice), Derek Brunson and Kelvin Gastelum. At just 32, Adesanya still has a lot of fights left in him and is en route to joining the pantheon of MMA greats.

What separates him from the rest of the fighters at 185 pounds is his elite level striking. His extensive kickboxing background ensures that Adesanya is always multiple steps ahead of his opponents in striking exchanges. The only time we've seen a chink in his armor is his loss to former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz and his recent decision victory over Robert Whittaker.

In his fights against Blachowicz and Whittaker, Adesanya was taken down on numerous occasions. This showed that his wrestling defense, although very good, isn't of the highest level just yet. While the middleweight champion's tendency to use the fence to defend takedowns works against some fighters, this strategy will not work against a high-level wrestler.

If one has to create the perfect fighter to beat Adesanya, they will go for a world-class wrestler with one-punch knockout power. Enter Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev recently acknowledged the same, claiming that 'The Last Stylebender' would be "easy money" for him.

Chimaev is currently plying his trade in the welterweight division. Considering his propensity to finish fights early and his hunger to stay active, a potential showdown with Adesanya could happen sooner than we think.

While a fight against Kamaru Usman is intriguing considering the welterweight champion's wrestling prowess, the Adesanya matchup seems undoubtedly winnable. Stylistically, Chimaev could be a nightmare matchup for 'The Last Stylebender'.

Additionally, Adesanya is one of the biggest superstars in the sport right now. He is very marketable and, as such, is among the highest-paid fighters on the roster. Chimaev could upset the apple cart in a big way if he can successfully claim the middleweight title.

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#3. Khamzat Chimaev could become the first male fighter to simultaneously defend two belts

Becoming a UFC champion is the epitome of success in the sport of MMA. There have been over 100 different titleholders in the promotion since its inception in 1993. However, there have only been seven two-division champions throughout the history of the UFC.

Randy Couture, B.J. Penn, Conor McGregor, Georges St-Pierre, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Henry Cejudo are the only fighters to have won titles in two different divisions. Fighters like T.J. Dillashaw, Max Holloway and Israel Adesanya have tried and failed at becoming double champions, highlighting just how hard the feat is.

McGregor became the first UFC fighter to hold two belts at the same time. He was later joined by Nunes, Cormier and Cejudo. Nunes remains the only double champion to jump back-and-forth between two weight classes and defend both belts simultaneously. None of her male peers have been able to do the same.

In Khamzat Chimaev, we finally have a fighter who is skilled, active and hungry enough to reign over two divisions concomitantly.

If Chimaev truly wants to separate himself from the rest of the great fighters to have graced the octagon, he's going to have to do something truly unprecedented. His skills are undeniable, and with the right guidance, he has the potential to dominate both the welterweight and middleweight divisions concurrently.

While Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya are considered to be among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world at the moment, Chimaev can eclipse the two champions' accomplishments and emerge as the greatest fighter of the modern era.