Is Khamzat Chimaev Unbeatable?

Khamzat Chimaev (15-0-0) may be “unbeatable,” according to Sean O’Malley.

Chimaev, who captured the middleweight title at UFC 319 with a dominant performance against Dricus du Plessis this month, defied the pre-fight narrative that he may gas out. The 50-44 scorecards across the board summed up a dominant grappling display. The win meant Chimaev has beaten former champions such as Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker, making him one of the leading names in the UFC. While there are the likes of Nassourdine Imavov, Caio Borralho, Reinier de Ridder, and Anthony Hernandez chasing a title shot, O’Malley does not see anyone troubling Chimaev.

“I just don’t see anyone beating Khamzat. To be honest, I don’t see anybody lasting as long as DDP did. Like DDP survived, which was impressive in itself. Khamzat is a finisher. He’s a killer,” O’Malley said

The Reality

Chimaev’s undefeated record of 15-0-0 is a powerful testament to his exceptional skill set and dominance. His grappling prowess, in particular, is a major reason for O’Malley’s claim. Chimaev has also shown his striking is a significant threat, as evidenced by his knockouts against Gerald Meerschaert and Li Jingliang early in his career.

Despite his impressive record, the notion of Chimaev being “unbeatable” is challenged by a number of factors. He has been hit clean by fighters like Gilbert Burns, who was able to land significant strikes and even stun him at times. A fighter with one-punch knockout power, like Alex Pereira, or a superior technical striker, could potentially find a way to land a fight-ending shot.

The UFC is also an ever-evolving landscape. The names O’Malley mentioned, such as Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho, are rising contenders with unique skill sets that could pose new problems for Chimaev. Imavov, for example, is a rangy and technical striker who could force Chimaev into a stand-up battle.