Do you have new found respect for Khamzat now that he's won the MW belt?

[Takes Two To Tango]

Beside the fight being lacklustre. And not as entertaining as his past fights. It was perhaps the most dominating one sided championship 5 round fight.

Anyone change their tune on Khamzat?

Maybe respect him more now?

 

[Doctor Grudge]

It's great he dominated an elite opponent, but the problem was it was said he was the second coming before he had actually did that.

Now that he beat DDP easily, the next tier of hype is coming, and now he can beat every 170, 185, and 205er to live even though he is probably an Usman level fighter, which should be enough to praise as Usman is arguably the best of his generation. But most of Chimaev's fan base either has a very poor understanding of MMA wrestling or just want to get caught up in his hype.

To answer the question though, yes. I do respect Khazmat more than before. Hes a champion and a strong one, just am not going to call him the GOAT until he proves it. Which may be upsetting to some.

 

[RockyLockridge]

Always respected him, Nothings changed.

Only thing about khamzat that is ever criticized is his attendance, Which is completely fair play, even if you're a big fan.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

It's great he dominated an elite opponent, but the problem was it was said he was the second coming before he had actually did that.

Now that he beat DDP easily, the next tier of hype is coming, and now he can beat every 170, 185, and 205er to live even though he is probably an Usman level fighter, which should be enough to praise as Usman is arguably the best of his generation, but most of his fan base either has a very poor understanding of MMA wrestling or just want to get caught up in his hype.

To answer the question though, yes. I do respect Khazmat more than before. Hes a champion and a strong one, just am not going to call him the GOAT until he proves it. Which may be upsetting to some.

Nicely said.

 

[KBE6EKCTAH_CCP]

Khamzat is one of the only few interesting fighters in the UFC and the best wrestler. Yes I was astonished how easily he dominated DDP.

 

[Bret 'The Hitman' Hart]

Always knew he was elite despite his flaws.

The way he completely dismantled and neutralized a tough big guy like DDP was impressive, not matter how boring people thought the fight was

 

[Knob_Halford]

It's great he dominated an elite opponent, but the problem was it was said he was the second coming before he had actually did that.

Now that he beat DDP easily, the next tier of hype is coming, and now he can beat every 170, 185, and 205er to live even though he is probably an Usman level fighter, which should be enough to praise as Usman is arguably the best of his generation. But most of Chimaev's fan base either has a very poor understanding of MMA wrestling or just want to get caught up in his hype.

To answer the question though, yes. I do respect Khazmat more than before. Hes a champion and a strong one, just am not going to call him the GOAT until he proves it. Which may be upsetting to some.

no way in hell Usman does to DDP what Khamzat did

 

[irimiasz]

This fight made me realize how dominant and beautiful technically his grappling actually is. Before a DDP fight, I thought he’s mostly reliant on his athleticism and explosiveness and will most likely fade in a five round fight. I never thought that he will be so successful with his entries, top control and guard passing against division’s top 3 for five rounds.

I guess Dricus’ camp thought the same way given than they admitted they thought Khamzat will try to sub him in one round.

 

[RockyLockridge]

It's great he dominated an elite opponent, but the problem was it was said he was the second coming before he had actually did that.

Now that he beat DDP easily, the next tier of hype is coming, and now he can beat every 170, 185, and 205er to live even though he is probably an Usman level fighter, which should be enough to praise as Usman is arguably the best of his generation.

IMO, He already has far better wins than usman ever had.

 

[Jackonfire]

No. It depends on what he does going forward. Like GSP said, winning the belt is easy, its only one fight. Keeping the belt is the hard part.

 

[markg171]

I don't know how you possibly gain respect from watching someone you know is clearly not giving it their all.

Khamzat doing this in a vacuum or that being his thing might've been one thing. But when you know he usually gets to the position he wants and then smashes with GNP or subs trying to finish, I don't know how you have anything but disdain for watching him get to all these deadly positions and then not trying to do so.

Most people have zero interest watching someone work themselves to a crucifix and then not trying to finish from possibly the most finish friendly position.

 

[NoStoneUnturned]

He proved himself to me in the Whittaker fight with respect to his ability and I'm not surprised he beat DDP. I am surprised at how easily he beat DDP which further cements the fact that he is very capable. Now we see what his title reign looks like, that will settle any remaining arguments either way.

 

[markg171]

This fight made me realize how dominant and beautiful technically his grappling actually is. Before a DDP fight, I thought he’s mostly reliant on his athleticism and explosiveness and will most likely fade in a five round fight. I never thought that he will be so successful with his entries, top control and guard passing against division’s top 3 for five rounds.

I guess Dricus’ camp thought the same way given than they admitted they thought Khamzat will try to sub him in one round.

It's hard not to have cardio when:

- you work to a dominant position and then just sit there
- your opponent isn't trying to escape, reclaim positions, threaten with subs or blows, or do anything
- you only give little love taps and don't attempt submissions

His performance against Burns is his best display of cardio still.

 

[Colemanstove]

I always respected him.
I have even more respect for his skills seeing him be able to pace himself for 5 rounds, completely dominating the champ.
Everyone was complaining he has no cardio. Now that he shows cardio, it's that he didn't try and finish it. Nothing's good enough for the internet crybaby's.

 

[Myrddin Wild]

Hard to deny his high profile dominationz early in his career.

Also hard to deny dominating DDP like that no matter how borzing it might have seemed. He'z the only one to have done that, & that's important.

More importantly... he now proved he can go 5 roundz of dominance definitively...

...though that required a much less aggressive approach.

He has mentioned working on his aggressive early approach of giving all he has leading to over-training, & gassing in later roundz, & so he'z a work in progress. That's very scary for a guy with his accomplishments.

I'd say his time at teh top has a shorter limit due to wrestling being extremely taxing on the body. We've seen other dominant wrestlerz destroy people early in their career but fade later due to injuries, or straight up just stop using their wrestling. (DC & Cain comes to mind) It's the human structure that can only take so much. The kneez & joints wear out quicker with dominant wrestlers.

GSP fans' biggest gripe was alwayz his more boring fights where he basically did what Borz just did to DDP.... & yet GSP knew that moderation would allow him a longer run. It seemz Borz has taken that lesson to heart. GSP is now looked back on as one of teh very few in teh GOAT discussion, so regardless of HOW he won... teh fact is he won. 2 men entered teh cage & 1 man won teh contest.

So for better or worse... what we have moving forward is basically the kind of Borz that we saw vs. DDP. Perhaps we see flashes of his earlier career where he was hurting himself with that level of activity & people bitched about his time off, but most likely we'll see moving forward, a more GSP approach where he can actually make 5 rounds if it comes to that... & won't be hurting himself in the process.

 

[ComfortablyNumb55]

I can't believe Burns gave him such a tough time.

It was shocking to see him abandon his blanket style.

But it made for a very exciting fight.

 

[Hymen Crusher]

Everyone knew he was good cant stand the hype still cant. When a guy hasn't even defended once and they already are better then prime jones I get annoyed. Let's see how the next two years play out. He has the chance to be an all time great now he is a good champ

 

[SKYNET]

Nothing changed for me, I'm still on the hype train.

Every Khamzat fight I gain more and more respect for Gilbert Burns tho