Khamzat Chimaev is the most skilled fighter imho since prime Jon Jones (from Purely skills POV)

[Smegma-Head]

It’ll be a relief once Kadyrow’s nuthugger will get smashed. But until then “grown” men will have a boner whenever he’s screaming frantically “I’m the champ” (without even being champ). That gamma-attitude must be en vogue with GenZers…

 

[drbolony]

Idk, I find Alexander Volkanovski to be more skilled, which is super impressive considering his background isn't even in fighting.

He also doesn't need to waste energy to make guys feel pressured, similar to Darren Till (specifically when Darren is standing).

He's high level, if not elite, in all areas except submission offense. In the stand up he has the range, the timing, the vision, the speed, footwork, intelligent pressure, cage cutting, strike selection, feints, educated jab, and even power.

Grappling wise he's got great cage pressure and good TD's off the cage, string in the clinch, positionally aware, willing to cage wrestle and shoot in the middle of the cage, great scrambles and positioning, bullet proof TDD. And like Volk says, his little dinosaur legs only make it easier for him to pop back up.

To me he is the most impressive fighter in the history of this sport.

 

[flairleguccijoints]

His striking stands up for itself.. He has good boxing and power in his hands much more lethal then Jones standing that is a fact.. Jones was good at distance striking and outpointing his opponents. Chimaev stops opponents with his hands but still Jones is the better striker overall but Chimaev is definitely the more lethal striker tho

“Jones is the better striker overall”

the end.

 

[GreatSaintGuillotine]

Makhachev is very extremely elite no doubt about that but His not a better wrestler then Khamzat nor a better athlete. Khamzat would finish all of Islam's opponents inside 1st round including his latest (Within inside first 1 min or 2nd min).. His finishing instinct is much higher his like a cat once he grabs something and drags it to the ground it won't come up again alive

I mean...Khamzat is also 2 weight classes bigger than all of them at a minimum

 

[Ripp0ntare]

When Khamzat gets rid of Till he will be unstoppable

 

[User9992]

 

[TheNewOldGuy]

Let's see Khamzat vs. a high ranked, well rounded MW (Whittaker) and see if he dominates or even wins.

I get hype trains, but this one is gaining a bit too much steam when you start comparing him to Bones in potential.

 

[dragonsfly]

He was head-hunting in that fight and that is one fight.. All the greats have losses and KO losses but Khamzat is undefeated currently but people are considering him going thru 1 tough fight as something negative which goes to show how dominant his fighs are ending and the high expectations.. Not a single fighter ever had this expectations....

People will expect him to finish all his opponents in the 1st or max 2nd round which is ridiculous and inhumane expectations

 

[dragonsfly]

I don't agree. He's extremely skilled yes, and most likely a champion in 1 if not 2 weight classes. A huge part of that is from his ferocity, strength, and aggression though, not 100% technical skill.

I do agree though, Khamzat is a fucking beast that's going to do great things.

Alot of people assume that his all ferocity because of his promo character but in reality his all skills once the cage closes and there was one fight he got carried away because he started to believe in his own hype and overlooked Burns entirely leading upto the fight but aside from that everything is based on skills and executing the opponent as fast as possible.. His entire game is based on intelligence but people only see his promo character which is basically a character his playing to sell fights.. Unfortunately people just want another Kimbo slice type of guy who looks and talks as if he can smesh everyone that is why even Kimbo slice became a cultural phenomenon..

If Khamzat started talking about the MMA game in dept etc etc he wouldn't be selling fights but unfortunately the fans want the WWE slush Kimbo version Khamzat

 

[Apect15]

His striking stands up for itself.. He has good boxing and power in his hands much more lethal then Jones standing that is a fact.. Jones was good at distance striking and outpointing his opponents. Chimaev stops opponents with his hands but still Jones is the better striker overall but Chimaev is definitely the more lethal striker tho

Everyone has punching power over jones Jon is 100 times better kicker better inside better in clinch better defensively ofcourse

 

[Steve Fox]

I can see Chimaev's hype train being derailed in 2023. Also, Jones is on a different level.

Shavkat Rakhmonov is a more complete fighter btw.

 

[Hog-train]

In his early career, Jones never took the striking damage that Khamzat took by Burns. Khamzat's head movement can definitely use some work.

 

[VaselineSweep]

They both duck guys in the division above too.

 

[dragonsfly]

In his early career, Jones never took the striking damage that Khamzat took by Burns. Khamzat's head movement can definitely use some work.

Gusmo almost beat him and he lost a round to Stephan Bonnar..

 

[dragonsfly]

Let's see Khamzat vs. a high ranked, well rounded MW.
.

No middleweight currently on the roster can defend against Khamzat wrestling, Judo trips except Bo Nickal...

Look closer at this takedown (Note watch the reply to understand)

 

[TheNewOldGuy]

No middleweight currently on the roster can defend against Khamzat wrestling, Judo trips except Bo Nickal...

Takedowns in a cage where often you can stand right back up aren't the same as takedowns on an open mat. Especially against a veteran like Whittaker.

While I don't deny that Khamzat's takedowns and even ground game are high level, he's still not proven against competition that is actually his size. If he were to fight Whittaker the same way he fought Burns, I don't see that chin holding up to Bobby Knuckles the way it did to Burns. The question is IN A CAGE could he take and keep Whittaker down long enough to finish or decision him?

 

[dragonsfly]

Takedowns in a cage where often you can stand right back up aren't the same as takedowns on an open mat. Especially against a veteran like Whittaker.

While I don't deny that Khamzat's takedowns and even ground game are high level, he's still not proven against competition that is actually his size. If he were to fight Whittaker the same way he fought Burns, I don't see that chin holding up to Bobby Knuckles the way it did to Burns. The question is IN A CAGE could he take and keep Whittaker down long enough to finish or decision him?

I think Whitaker is elite but he has never really faced a wreslter who actully comes to wrestle ever in his career.. He faced a wrestler turned striker in Yoel which is a completely different thing.. Khamzat could put him away in the 1st in all honesty and hack I would go out on a roll and say Bo Nickal can stop him inside the 1st round I don't think Whittaker can stop Nickal also having his way with him...

Forget Khamzat.. If Nickal and Whittaker fought next in Febuary lets assume his opponent pulls out I could bet my account on Nickal not only beating him but stopping him..

I rate Nickal way above Whittaker due to ability and I don't look at fighters from their veteran track record because that doesn't matter what matters is that styles make fights

 

[TheNewOldGuy]

I think Whitaker is elite but he has never really faced a wreslter who actully comes to wrestle ever in his career.. He faced a wrestler turned striker in Yoel which is a completely different thing.. Khamzat could put him away in the 1st in all honesty and hack I would go out on a roll and say Bo Nickal can stop him inside the 1st round I don't think Whittaker can stop Nickal also having his way with him...

Forget Khamzat.. If Nickal and Whittaker fought next in Febuary lets assume his opponent pulls out I could bet my account on Nickal not only beating him but stopping him

While I respect Khamzat and Nickal for what they have done so far, I've seen so many hype trains and bandwagons come and go that I don't even take posts like yours seriously anymore.

 

[dragonsfly]

While I respect Khamzat and Nickal for what they have done so far, I've seen so many hype trains and bandwagons come and go that I don't even take posts like yours seriously anymore.

Hypes come and go but not these two hype trains and it is due to skills and strong athletic background..

I am big fan of Whittaker and his definitely a great fighter but lets assume in some miracle way Costa pulls out and the UFC puts in Nickal as replacement.. I will put my 7 years account on the line that nickal will get his hands raised.. Styles make fights

 

[Mind Mine]

No he is a very good but he has no great kick game nor have I noticed him being exceptionally good at elbow nor knees. Maybe I can rewatch his few fights crushing cans and rethink lower tier challengers and find some glimmer but nothing cones to mind