Khamzat Chimaev's Next Move Causes Worry

Joe Rogan has raised concerns about Khamzat Chimaev's decision to compete at Real America Freestyle Wrestling 10 on June 13.

This is after Chimaev lost his middleweight belt in a split decision to Sean Strickland. Chimaev’s UFC future is still unresolved, while he has asked for a Strickland rematch, there is no agreement in place. Rogan's view is that stepping straight back into competition against Dillon Danis carries unnecessary risk, with injury his primary concern.

The concern is not without merit. Chimaev went twenty-five minutes at the highest level of the sport less than two weeks before his scheduled RAF 10 appearance.

Whatever the format of the grappling contest against Danis — and it sits at a considerably lower competitive level than a UFC title fight — the physical toll of five hard rounds against Strickland is real. A training injury in camp or a mishap on the mat on June 13 could complicate whatever the UFC has planned for him next.

Rogan Reacts

Chimaev's position heading into that uncertainty is already complicated enough. Reports that he struggled to make the middleweight limit ahead of UFC 328 have added a weight class dimension to a situation that would otherwise be straightforward — a close loss, a rematch request, and a timeline to be determined.

If a move to light heavyweight is being considered by either side, the last thing his team needs is an avoidable injury sustained in a low-stakes grappling match. Rogan made his stance clear.

“That could happen to anybody. Wrestlers blow their knees out all the time. It’s just a part of the craziness of explosive movement. I don’t know if he should be interested in doing that,” Rogan said