"The UFC didn’t make a mistake” - Surging middleweight believes Khamzat Chimaev needs one more fight before challenging for the title

Khamzat Chimaev needs to fight one more time before he competes for UFC gold, according to fellow middleweight contender Caio Borralho.

Many believe 'Borz' to be next in line for a title fight following his sensational submission win over Robert Whittaker in round one at UFC 308.

There were calls for Chimaev to leapfrog Sean Strickland, who had been confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White as the next opponent for champion Dricus du Plessis.

The Chechen currently occupies the No. 3 rank in the division. With Israel Adesanya and 'Tarzan', the two men ranked above him, already being booked to fight, there is an expectation that he will face the winner of Du Plessis vs. Strickland.

But during a recent interview with Submission Radio, Borralho, a former training partner of Chimaev's, explained why he believed the undefeated middleweight contender needs one more fight before competing for the belt.

He said this:

"Khamzat is kind of in the position where he might deserve the title shot, but he might not. I think he kind of needs to fight one more guy in the division. For sure, what he did [against] Whittaker, nobody did that [to] Whittaker."

Borralho continued:

"I think he needs to fight again, but I'm not gonna mind if he gets the title shot. He's on his run, and anything that happens to him I'm happy for him."

Catch Caio Borralho's comments on Khamzat Chimaev below:

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Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev broken down by Kevin Holland

Dricus du Plessis' reign over the middleweight division will be put to the test against Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 312 on Feb. 22 in Australia. Should the South African overcome Strickland for a second time, he is expected to face Khamzat Chimaev.

The elite grapping skillset possessed by Chimaev could provide 'Stillknocks' with a host of problems, and a former opponent of 'Borz's' recently broke down the potential middleweight clash.

Kevin Holland, who faced the Chechen at UFC 279, recently appeared on the Overdogs Podcast hosted by former UFC fighter Mike Perry.

Holland said:

"I think Khamzat probably beats Strickland but I don't think he beats Dricus."

He continued:

"The way he starts is crazy, bro. I've experienced it. He starts like [crazy]. He's like an electric car."

Catch Kevin Holland preview Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev below: