Khamzat - Right place at the right time?

[Versez]

 

[Volador]

I get the hype, but I think we're a wee bit premature here. Prime Sonnen was one of the best MW MMA wrestlers, and even beat some big-named LHWs along with Oleynik. He even took down Fedor a few times, but displayed a bad Fight IQ and lost that one. I wouldn't assume Khamzat would just zip through prime Hughes, Kos and Woodley quite yet either. Prime Weidman would also be a very tough test. Let's see him against a few Top 5 guys before assuming he destroys all of the best WW/MWs of the past in their prime forms.

I agree with prime Weidman, which is why I didn't list him. I have to disagree with the rest, but obviously it's one of those things that's impossible to prove either way. I'm assuming he would put some size if he wanted a permanent move to MW. It's become clear to me that the wrestlers from that area of the world have brought some unseen shit to the game in terms of wrestling and top control, and have added the skills from modern camps and modern BJJ to that game.

Yes, Sonnen was great in his time, and so was Bisping, but imo they don't compare to the new talents like Khamzat. I have no idea what Oleynik's skills were like in 2006 to be honest. And, because of styles, I don't see many avenues for victory for an almost pure wrestler who's susceptible to subs like Sonnen. I also think guys like Hughes would be dwarfed in terms of size and variety of skills, Koscheck the same. Divisions weren't as deep back then imo, although I still have Hughes as top 3 WW GOAT because of what he did back then. However, I do think the game advances. Of course I'm assuming a scenario where present day Khamzat is teleported to that era.

I guess the Burns fight will tell us more, but I don't think his hype is the result of some sort of lucky circumstance.

 

[mkt]

I agree with prime Weidman, which is why I didn't list him. I have to disagree with the rest, but obviously it's one of those things that's impossible to prove either way. I'm assuming he would put some size if he wanted a permanent move to MW. It's become clear to me that the wrestlers from that area of the world have brought some unseen shit to the game in terms of wrestling and top control, and have added the skills from modern camps and modern BJJ to that game.

Yes, Sonnen was great in his time, and so was Bisping, but imo they don't compare to the new talents like Khamzat. I have no idea what Oleynik's skills were like in 2006 to be honest. And, because of styles, I don't see many avenues for victory for an almost pure wrestler who's susceptible to subs like Sonnen. I also think guys like Hughes would be dwarfed in terms of size and variety of skills, Koscheck the same. Divisions weren't as deep back then imo, although I still have Hughes as top 3 WW GOAT because of what he did back then. However, I do think the game advances. Of course I'm assuming a scenario where present day Khamzat is teleported to that era.

I guess the Burns fight will tell us more, but I don't think his hype is the result of some sort of lucky circumstance.

I get it, but we haven't seen Khamzat face a really good wrestler yet or go into deep waters in a fight. We assume he could win a tough 3 or 5 round UD if he can't get a finish, but we haven't see his heart or cardio tested. Most likely they'll be fine, based on other fighters from that part of the world, but I have to see it first. Burns will be interesting, though he won't test Khamzat's wrestling--only his sub-defense.

 

[FIghtxIQ]

well, Burns is super slick on the ground so there's that. We will see, I think Khamzat is going to be too big and strong for him, but Burns is no Li on the ground. I'm not even sure if Khamzat will want to wrestle unless he has to.

About that whole training rumours, in general, i don't believe those unless I see it myself lol, they say a lot of shit about fighters sometimes, not just Khamzat but in generarl.

Usually training stories are true. Most fighters don't like giving out compliments or publicly saying a fighter was getting the better of them or outworking them in training/sparring sessions. So when you hear fighters saying this about the same fighter, you will know why.

 

[koquerelle]

That's a lot of words to just say you're on the Khamzat wagon, lol.

He loves to hear himself talk. That's why the insecure fool makes so many threads.

 

[Substance Abuse]

He loves to hear himself talk. That's why the insecure fool makes so many threads.

 

[Dim1]

GSP hype wasn't that big. He slowly up leveled his game after a couple of losses. The Jon Jones hype was pretty big.

 

[eighterumg5]

I wanna like the guy but I get hung up on him hanging out with a war lord

 

[HHJ]

I think it's too early too ruminate on this. However,this isn't just a case of right place right time. It's not just a guy who was hungry for fights in a crazy pandemic period. The guy got the skills to pay the bills. We just don't know HOW good,but fuck,he is good.

 

[dragovic]

after seeing the clinic khamzat put on Hermanson and the rumours of him be able to compete with illir Latifi on the ground , I’m kind of worried for burns

Gilbert can’t keep up with the wrestling and will be put on his back. The question is wether Burns can neutralize Chimaev’s pressare from there on, or not.

 

[KillerIsBack V2]

Burns is a huge underdog in that fight too lmao.

I wouldn't count out Burns or anything but yeah, I think Khamzat is going to be too big and too powerful for him. Who knows though, Burns is an elite fighter.

Why are we still talking about this?
It was never signed, and we dont hear anything Bout ongoing negotiations.

 

[ryun253]

KhamGOAT, LETS GO!!!! Witnessing Walkers downfall (didn't have much expectations) but man, if Khamzat has the same downfall as Walker I think I'd cry.

 

[notsojollyrogerRIP]

So, I'm huge on Khamzat. In my opinion, probably the best prospect since Jon Jones. Before Jon Jones, there was a french canadian kid named GSP. Oh man, there was this excitement when GSP was coming up, and Jon Jones was coming up, but the hype doesn't even compare.

Now obviously, it's a bit premature to say how his career would pan out, because he hasn't really done a whole lot yet, but even if he doesn't pan out, and his hype train might get derailed in next or next fight, if it's Burns or Usman, but I think he's on THAT LEVEL of great potential, though he could lose this year for all we know. I think he won't, but MMA is a cruel, unforgiving sport after all. I personally think he beats Burns and Colby and Usman.

It's funny however though I happen to think his hype train may never have started the way it did if he appeared a little earlier in WW or MW division

If Khamzat arrived a bit earlier when MW division had

Mousasi
Weidman
Jacare
Kennedy
Rockhold
Brunson
Bisping
Hendo
TRTor
Lombard
Sonnen
Okami
Anderson
Whittaker
Romero
Machida
Paul

If Khamzat was able to find success through THIS level of competition, which I don't think would've been a guarantee, I highly doubt that he would've been able to generate one fifth of the hype that he has going right now.

On the other hand, if Khamzat arrived even earlier, I don't mean him being younger mind you, but hypothetically his arrival happened earlier, to welterweight, with his attributes, I'm not sure it would've been a same story either.

GSP
Hendricks
Koscheck
Woodley
Shields
Fitch
Hughes
Rory
Ellenberger
DHK
BJ
Story
Maia
Condit
Alves
Robbie

Obviously, MW at that point is arguably the strongest division of all time, so WW does look a bit weak in comparison, but WW division was pretty deep and strong in its own right.

If Khamzat arrived a little early, perhaps Khamzat train may never have taken off, who knows.

But it did and onboard Khamzat bandwagon all the way now though lol.

As much credit as you are giving Khamzat it's still not enough. Strikes thrown to strikes absorbed is like 250-2. He may not retire undefeated, but he will retire the best pound-for-pound fighter of all time, of any era.

 

[TARTARA]

 

[KBE6EKCTAH_CCP]

What is the point of this thread? You included like 3 eras of 2 separate divisions in that long ass list, as if they were all in their primes together at the same time.

Alves? Lmao, he can't wrestle. Condit same thing. Rick Story? Lmfao, not even a top contender in his era. Bj Penn? Khamzat would murk the shit out of any version of BJ, he's tiny, and I'm a BJ fan. Sonnen, who was a blanket with no power? What's he going to do, KO Khamzat? Bisping, who lost to Sonnen? Matt Hughes, Koschek and Woodley? What you smoking? Come on man.

Of course if you pick the top 5's of 3 separate eras in 2 divisions you'll find tough matchups, but his potential would've been the same then as now. His hype is not a product of right place right time, he's just that good. He already has enough of a challenge with Colby, Usman, Burns, Luque and Edwards. Excluding GSP, these guys are a tougher top 5 WW than any other era, plus there's contenders like Brady and Rakhmonov as well.

I think that you are underestimating Shale in his prime. Never a KO threat but had excellent cardio and good wrestling. I could totally see Shale blanketing Borz for most rounds.

I also think that you are underestimating what the strong wrestlers of the past with good cardio at WW could do to Khamzat.

I am on the Borz train but you guys are forgetting how many times in the history of the sport we have seen tall lanky fighters get outpowered and outwrestled in late rounds by proven, compact wrestlers with good cardio.

 

[kenetics]

What is the point of this thread? You included like 3 eras of 2 separate divisions in that long ass list, as if they were all in their primes together at the same time.

Alves? Lmao, he can't wrestle. Condit same thing. Rick Story? Lmfao, not even a top contender in his era. Bj Penn? Khamzat would murk the shit out of any version of BJ, he's tiny, and I'm a BJ fan. Sonnen, who was a blanket with no power? What's he going to do, KO Khamzat? Bisping, who lost to Sonnen? Matt Hughes, Koschek and Woodley? What you smoking? Come on man.

Of course if you pick the top 5's of 3 separate eras in 2 divisions you'll find tough matchups, but his potential would've been the same then as now. His hype is not a product of right place right time, he's just that good. He already has enough of a challenge with Colby, Usman, Burns, Luque and Edwards. Excluding GSP, these guys are a tougher top 5 WW than any other era, plus there's contenders like Brady and Rakhmonov as well.

I can see you jumping ships if he get ko lol. You would probably take back everything you said .

 

[fortheo]

Gilbert can’t keep up with the wrestling and will be put on his back. The question is wether Burns can neutralize Chimaev’s pressare from there on, or not.

Khamzat won't put burns on his back unless there's like ten seconds on the clock, or unless he plans to disengage immediately.

He's going to beat gilbert on the feet and man handle him in the clinch. Gilbert is half a foot smaller than him and will likely get bullied.

 

[Luthien]

Khamzat will destroy Burns
After that there will be no doubt

 

[dragovic]

Khamzat won't put burns on his back unless there's like ten seconds on the clock, or unless he plans to disengage immediately.

He's going to beat gilbert on the feet and man handle him in the clinch. Gilbert is half a foot smaller than him and will likely get bullied.

I think Khamzat is such a savage that he won’t care about Gilbert’s ground game, and therefore will take him down.

 

[Willek]

Khamzat would have lost to prime Hendricks and Koscheck.