"Fight of the decade" - MMA X erupts over Islam Makhachev vs. Khamzat Chimaev debate

Islam Makhachev vs. Khamzat Chimaev isn't a matchup that was on anyone's mind, that is until an MMA page on X/Twitter fanned the flames of a debate. As expected, the question of who would win a hypothetical bout between Makhachev and Chimaev stirred fans into a frenzy.

While both men are well-rounded, hyper-skilled fighters from the Caucasus mountains, they are differentiated quite significantly by size. Makhachev is the reigning UFC lightweight champion, which is two weight classes below Chimaev, who fights at middleweight.

The massive size difference between both men was taken into account by some of the fans who offered their predictions for the hypothetical bout. Not everyone, though, felt that it mattered.

"I believe Islam would be even more frightening for everyone if he didn't have to cut weight. This would be close."

Others disagreed, highlighting the difference in size and overall physicality.

"Khamzat would just throw him out of the octagon WWE style"

This was implied by others, who questioned the nature of the bout given the massive difference in size between the pair.

"A middleweight vs a lightweight?"

Another fan, though, opined that it would be a stellar matchup.

"Fight of the decade could be"

A collage of fan reactions can be seen below:

Fans debating Islam Makhachev vs. Khamzat Chimaev

While a fight between Makhachev and Chimaev is unlikely, UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad believes that the lightweight king is skilled enough to find success at middleweight should he choose to make the jump. However, it's likely a biased take given Muhammad's friendship with Makhachev.

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Islam Makhachev and Khamzat Chimaev have grapple the same foe

Islam Makhachev is set to defend his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 in a rematch five years in the making. Their last outing was a highly competitive affair, which is in heavy contrast to Khamzat Chimaev's recent grappling session with the lightweight title challenger.

Check out Khamzat Chimaev grappling with Arman Tsarukyan:

Given the difference in size and strength, the unbeaten Chechen was able to get the better of Tsarukyan with supreme ease right from the get-go. While it wasn't a serious fight, it offered a glimpse of how much of a difference-maker Chimaev's physicality is compared to that of even a very strong lightweight.