'Whose Fault Is It?' Khabib’s Coach Defends Khamzat Chimaev From ‘Boring’ Accusations

The coach further questioned Du Plessis’s training and his team’s claims of being ready for Chimaev’s wrestling. They also revealed that Du Plessis had an entire camp dedicated to defending takedowns. Mendez also related the fight to the 2019 fight between Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier. They spoke about how Poirier wanted to stand and strike, but ‘The Eagle’ shot his takedowns to attain victory.

Mendez has always kept Chimaev in high regard and has put the Chechen superstars’ grappling prowess on the same level as his star fighters, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev. However, Mendez further explained that they were “A+ but still very different from each other.” Both Makhachev and Nurmagomedov were undefeated as champions and had dominant reigns.

Mendez has also criticized DDP’s camp for underestimating Chimaev’s striking ahead of UFC 319, suggesting such comments could backfire. Reflecting on Chimaev’s control on the ground and creativity in grappling, Mendez further admitted he doubted anyone in the division could stop him. Furthermore, he called the Chechen superstar a machine and one of the most dangerous forces in the sport today.

Khamzat Chimaev received a hero’s welcome on his return to the UAE after capturing the belt

Thousands of fans hailed Chimaev as he was welcomed to Dubai following his impressive win at UFC 319. The newly crowned middleweight champion, draped in the Emirati flag, was greeted with banners and chants to commemorate his triumph.

His victory not only preserved his perfect record, but also represented a great moment for the UAE. After all, he formally began representing the Middle Eastern nation in 2023 and eventually became a citizen of in early 2025.

‘Borz’ was born in Chechnya and raised in Sweden from the age of 18. Chimaev trained and grew in popularity in Europe, but never got Swedish citizenship despite staying there for many years. His reliance on a Russian passport caused major travel issues, notably due to worldwide limitations and his relationship with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. This frequently made foreign travel impossible.

The undefeated fighter’s ascension to UFC champion is a significant achievement for both his career and the UAE’s expanding presence in mixed martial arts. With his first championship defense due later this year, Chimaev’s future is even more critical since he symbolizes not just himself, but also the country he now considers home.