5 ways Khamzat Chimaev can change the landscape of the UFC

#2. Khamzat Chimaev could singlehandedly diminish the prestige of UFC Africa

The UFC currently has three champions with African roots. Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman was born in Nigeria before his family relocated to the United States. Middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya was also born in Nigeria and subsequently grew up in New Zealand.

Reigning heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou hails from Cameroon and endured a tumultuous rags-to-riches journey en route to becoming a world champion. Ngannou, Adesanya and Usman are friends, and have repeatedly called for a historic UFC event in Africa.

In the post COVID-19 era, travel restrictions, vaccination protocols, and visa issues have affected fighters' scheduled bouts. The promotion has largely held events in the United States and Abu Dhabi since the pandemic kicked off in 2020.

Nevertheless, UFC president Dana White discussed the possibility of the promotion holding an event in Africa at the UFC 271 post-fight press conference. Notably, White revealed that it remains a high priority for the promotion and himself personally.

While UFC Africa will undoubtedly happen at some point down the road, the expectation is that the three African champions will feature on the fight card. However, it remains to be seen whether Francis Ngannou, Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman will still have their belts when the promotion eventually heads to the continent for the first time.

Khamzat Chimaev is a legitimate threat to Usman and Adesanya's championship reigns. 'Borz' likes to remain active and barely takes any damage in his fights. There's a real possibility that the undefeated phenom will have the welterweight and middleweight titles inside the next two years, which will see the prestige of an eventual UFC Africa event take a massive hit.

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#1. Khamzat Chimaev could become the first-ever three-division UFC champion

No fighter has ever been able to pick up belts in three different weight classes in UFC history. Size is, and always will be, a hugely important factor to consider while breaking down a fight. It would take a truly special individual to become a champion of three divisions.

On quite a few occasions, Khamzat Chimaev has reiterated his desire to be crowned the UFC's first-ever triple champion. This accomplishment would, without a doubt, cement his legacy as the greatest fighter of all time.

While he will likely enjoy the height and reach advantage over most welterweights and middleweights, Chimaev will be undersized in potential bouts against light heavyweights. Moreover, his wrestling background might not serve him well at 205 pounds, considering the size and strength of the fighters competing in the weight class.

If Chimaev does eventually move up to light heavyweight, he will largely rely on his durability, aggression and killer instinct to win fights. Interestingly, former 205-pound title challenger Alexander Gustaffson believes 'Borz' can handle himself against bigger opponents.

Gustafsson and Chimaev train together at the Allstars Training Center in Stockholm, Sweden. Videos of the duo sparring have spread like wildfire online, and there doesn't appear to be a massive size difference between them. Moreover, Gustaffson claims that Chimaev is one of his main training partners, further highlighting how good the Russian-born Swede is.

It's a long shot, but if Khamzat Chimaev manages to pick up championships in three different weight classes, it'll likely change the sport forever. It remains to be seen whether 'Borz' can pull it off or not.