Should Khamzat Chimaev defends his MW title at least a couple times before moving up to challenge for the LHW belt?

[Tweak896]

Funny how everyone wants him to stay so we get Khamzat vs RDR/Fluffy/Imavov, but we may pass the chance to get Pereira at LHW. I know what is right, but the timing is wrong. Even if Khamzat does Islam's schedule, that's waiting until 2027 for Khamzat/Pereira and they both have stay champs. Not only a huge fight, but interesting matchup of styles.

 

[Tokoloko]

I believe so, there is no need to move up at this point. That's if the UFC and Dana are desperate to get him in a superfight.

But it makes most sense for him to just defend his belt a couple times before he does move up.

Jiri offered him fight in LHW. Khamzat never answered and never again mentioned Jiri...BTW Khamzat would get absolutely smoked by Poatan if Poatan is 100% okay and goes all in like he did vs Ankalaev...

 

[AL-Tappo McSnappo]

I believe so, there is no need to move up at this point. That's if the UFC and Dana are desperate to get him in a superfight.

But it makes most sense for him to just defend his belt a couple times before he does move up.

Maybe one title defence and he goes up.

 

[ninja boot]

The divisions just pile up when fighters are jumping all over the place doing money-fights. There should be 2 a year tops and it should only be fighters that aren't holding belts like they do with the BMF

 

[shunyata]

Funny how everyone wants him to stay so we get Khamzat vs RDR/Fluffy/Imavov, but we may pass the chance to get Pereira at LHW. I know what is right, but the timing is wrong. Even if Khamzat does Islam's schedule, that's waiting until 2027 for Khamzat/Pereira and they both have stay champs. Not only a huge fight, but interesting matchup of styles.

I can live with that. I like Khamzat and Alex and have very low interest in seeing them fight. Either Alex catches him charging in or Khamzat ragdolls him. Khamzat should put together a string of defenses at mw.

Alex has a few fights before retiring, and if he's going to fight a dramatically more skilled grappler he might be better off with old man Jones.

He also has the potential to set the record for victories in LHW title fights if he stays in division.

 

[Tweak896]

I can live with that. I like Khamzat and Alex and have very low interest in seeing them fight. Either Alex catches him charging in or Khamzat ragdolls him. Khamzat should put together a string of defenses at mw.

Alex has a few fights before retiring, and if he's going to fight a dramatically more skilled grappler he might be better off with old man Jones.

He also has the potential to set the record for victories in LHW title fights if he stays in division.

Neither guy is going to look great in each other's worlds, but it'd be funny if Pereira kept it standing and forced Khamzat to trade with him.

But yeah... from Alex's options.
LHW
-Ulberg: ( rightful contender, new matchup, a normal champ would probably be booked with him.) but I don't think it does anything for his legacy at this point.
-LHW rematches: He's had too many already, they are probably fun, but prove nothing.
- Khamzat: It's a real MW champion who has an aura, stylistic disadvantage but he has size advantage.

HW
- Aspinall: straight for belt, potential to be first 3 weight class champ
- Jones: Probably is cool legacy wise for LHW to see who is better, same age, I think he's at a huge size and style disadvantage, but Jones probably has injuries and other stuff holding him out of prime.

So for me the biggest fights for Alex is
1) Aspinall: Nothing beats 1st triple champ
2) Khamzat: No denying this is a tough fight, he could be the first to beat him
3) Jones: People might have to change their LHW rankings afterwards

I dunno, if he only has 3 fights left I hope they are those 3, but Khamzat has to be here and now before he moves to HW and it never happens. So it's now or never.

 

[Rampage_Jackson]

I'm a little tired of division hopping but he would smoke everyone at 205 so he can do whatever he wants IMO

 

[Rampage_Jackson]

Neither guy is going to look great in each other's worlds, but it'd be funny if Pereira kept it standing and forced Khamzat to trade with him.

But yeah... from Alex's options.
LHW
-Ulberg: ( rightful contender, new matchup, a normal champ would probably be booked with him.) but I don't think it does anything for his legacy at this point.
-LHW rematches: He's had too many already, they are probably fun, but prove nothing.
- Khamzat: It's a real MW champion who has an aura, stylistic disadvantage but he has size advantage.

HW
- Aspinall: straight for belt, potential to be first 3 weight class champ
- Jones: Probably is cool legacy wise for LHW to see who is better, same age, I think he's at a huge size and style disadvantage, but Jones probably has injuries and other stuff holding him out of prime.

So for me the biggest fights for Alex is
1) Aspinall: Nothing beats 1st triple champ
2) Khamzat: No denying this is a tough fight, he could be the first to beat him
3) Jones: People might have to change their LHW rankings afterwards

I dunno, if he only has 3 fights left I hope they are those 3, but Khamzat has to be here and now before he moves to HW and it never happens. So it's now or never.

Stylistic, sure, but you think Jon is much bigger than Alex? Jon's HW bulk sucked he just looked like a little fat boy. Alex walks around at a lean 240

 

[shunyata]

Stylistic, sure, but you think Jon is much bigger than Alex? Jon's HW bulk sucked he just looked like a little fat boy. Alex walks around at a lean 240

My concern is that both Borz and Jon will do to Alex what Jon did to Gane.

But realistically right now I'd say Borz is the much bigger takedown threat. He's much faster, better shot, healthy knees.

Yet, Borz also charges in. He has the arrogance of a man who's never been ko'd by a flying knee.

Alex should fight Ulberg, unless he's trying to get 30 million for Jon.

 

[Rampage_Jackson]

My concern is that both Borz and Jon will do to Alex what Jon did to Gane.

But realistically right now I'd say Borz is the much bigger takedown threat. He's much faster, better shot, healthy knees.

Yet, Borz also charges in. He has the arrogance of a man who's never been ko'd by a flying knee.

Alex should fight Ulberg, unless he's trying to get 30 million for Jon.

I think Khamzat, Jon or Tom any of the 3 all grapplefuck Alex.

 

[Tweak896]

Stylistic, sure, but you think Jon is much bigger than Alex? Jon's HW bulk sucked he just looked like a little fat boy. Alex walks around at a lean 240

Yeah. I me frame wise no. But he probably has more functional weight at HW than Alex can put on in a short amount of time. Jones looks pretty chubby at HW, he's actually not a big LHW. Still I think people are discounting his training with his new weight since maybe 2020. Fighters can look chubby and have tons of functional muscle underneath, look at Fedor.

 

[Rampage_Jackson]

Yeah. I me frame wise no. But he probably has more functional weight at HW than Alex can put on in a short amount of time. Jones looks pretty chubby at HW, he's actually not a big LHW. Still I think people are discounting his training with his new weight since maybe 2020. Fighters can look chubby and have tons of functional muscle underneath, look at Fedor.

I don't think Alex would be fighting any heavier. He just wouldn't have to cut and rehydrate.

Thinking about 2 LHWs just agreeing to fight at HW at their natural weights really emphasizes how ignorant weight cutting is lol

 

[World eater]

I’d like him to defend, as he was originally a WW. But if he vacates, he can move wherever, just do a title eliminator before offering him instant title shots. He fights so rarely that giving him opportunities at belts just logs the queue.

 

[Neck&Neck]

If you want to hop around and do “super fights” it’s all good
Just drop the belt
If you want to permanently move up to a new division that’s a little different
But still gotta drop that belt

 

[Hdfi]

Jones and Aspinall are more interesting.

 

[sdpdude9]

Obviously. I hate this is even a question. He just won the belt and has numerous guys ready for or nearing a title shot.

I hate the superfight culture over the past few years. In my opinion, it’s why the product overall feels weaker. We don’t get a set of established champions over a long period of time so it always just seems transitional.

 

[flektarn]

yes. otherwise we're going to hear from his retarded fans that his legacy is just fine because he would've beaten those contenders anyways and they're going to count theoretical wins on his resume as wins.
Want to be an all time great? Rack up some defenses.

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

More champs should be like Merab, only caring about their actual divisions.

 

[sdpdude9]

More champs should be like Merab, only carting about their actual divisions.

I find ruling over your division and establishing yourself as the undoubted #1 over a long period of time as much, much more impressive than winning a second belt.

Not to mention, I think having more guys wanting to chase that goal leads to more long term champions and the sport as a whole feels stronger. Now it just feels like champs are temporary and all too often it’s not the best fighting for the belt.

 

[Nobru]

Yes. At least 2 times.