Rewatch Why do people think RDR/Fluffy have a better chance than imavov against Khamzat?

[swizztony]

Watching Imavov’s fights recently, his takedown defense has been on point and he’s arguably the best striker at MW right now. He has a clear huge advantage over Khamzat in that area and could KO him if they stay on the feet for a few minutes.

Meanwhile RDR and fluffy have great grappling but absolute shit striking, where exactly is their advantage supposed to be over khamzat and what is their path to winning? At least with Imavov he can knock khamzat out with those fast hands

 

[Leinster Rugby]

Joe Rogan thinks RDR has the potential to beat Chimaev.
Joe Rogan thinks a lot of things.
I don't give any of them a chance personally.

 

[Qays Stetkevich]

Watching Imavov’s fights recently, his takedown defense has been on point and he’s arguably the best striker at MW right now. He has a clear huge advantage over Khamzat in that area and could KO him if they stay on the feet for a few minutes.

Meanwhile RDR and fluffy have great grappling but absolute shit striking, where exactly is their advantage supposed to be over khamzat and what is their path to winning? At least with Imavov he can knock khamzat out with those fast hands

I don't disagree with you, but I've also learned not to count Fluffy out. He has an "X" factor and weird style that gives a lot of people problems. And yes, Rodolfo gassed, but Fluffy subbed him. That counts for something.

I'm a big RDR fan, but . . . I don't really see how he could get it done, at all, against Kumshot. I mean, yes, with a sub, or maybe a knee while Kumshot shoots, but it's hard to picture. Same with RDR srambling up after getting taken down.

 

[swizztony]

Joe Rogan thinks RDR has the potential to beat Chimaev.
Joe Rogan thinks a lot of things.
I don't give any of them a chance personally.

Im not sure where he’s supposed to win? Hes slow and shit on the feet, he got pieced up by GM3 who khamzat one shotted. Out of the 3 contenders I think RDR possesses the least threat

 

[Estudante]

I don't disagree with you, but I've also learned not to count Fluffy out. He has an "X" factor and weird style that gives a lot of people problems. And yes, Rodolfo gassed, but Fluffy subbed him. That counts for something.

I'm a big RDR fan, but . . . I don't really see how he could get it done, at all, against Kumshot. I mean, yes, with a sub, or maybe a knee while Kumshot shoots, but it's hard to picture. Same with RDR srambling up after getting taken down.

i feel like that first round against rodolfo would be basically the whole fight against khamzat. maybe fluffy could rally late into the fight but khamzat would likely outpoint him

 

[Motivated BJ Penn]

Imavov already got molested by Khamzat in sparring

 

[188912345]

I don't disagree with you, but I've also learned not to count Fluffy out. He has an "X" factor and weird style that gives a lot of people problems. And yes, Rodolfo gassed, but Fluffy subbed him. That counts for something.

I think his weird style won't matter when he's on his back.

I also agree about RDR not having much of a chance, but I would still like to watch it.

When/if Khamzat loses at MW in the coming years, it will probably be by finish.

I just don't see anyone beating cardio-Khamzat by decision.

That would require a new level of takedown defense, or an insane ability to scramble/reverse positions on the ground consistently.

 

[dipstickjimmy]

I think his weird style won't matter when he's on his back.

I also agree about RDR not having much of a chance, but I would still like to watch it.

When/if Khamzat loses at MW in the coming years, it will probably be by finish.

I just don't see anyone beating cardio-Khamzat by decision.

That would require a new level of takedown defense, or an insane ability to scramble/reverse positions on the ground consistently.

Khamzat went 5 rouds vs DDP but I don't think he should be crowned "Kardio Khamzat" just yet. I would like to see him go 5 rounds with someone that can give him a fight at MW like Usman did coming off the couch. When Khamzat or any fighter gets to do 5 rounds of their base discipline with no resistance from their opponent they won't get tired.

 

[Pequeño Corey]

I don't disagree with you, but I've also learned not to count Fluffy out. He has an "X" factor and weird style that gives a lot of people problems. And yes, Rodolfo gassed, but Fluffy subbed him. That counts for something.

I'm a big RDR fan, but . . . I don't really see how he could get it done, at all, against Kumshot. I mean, yes, with a sub, or maybe a knee while Kumshot shoots, but it's hard to picture. Same with RDR srambling up after getting taken down.

RDR would die well. I don’t see him just accepting bottom position like DDP did. He’d take the risk to escape and open himself up to subs and gn’p.

 

[rjmbrd]

- How do we call Imavov the best striker while Sean Strickland easily beat him up?

- Imavov was the THIRD guy in a row to beat Izzy, who lost 4 of his last 5

- ^^^^ its like people completely lose context

- Brendan Allen got him down two fights ago and kept him there

- Caio is a very impressive win, but it was a point fighting stinker decision


We just watched him do a full Jon Jones style eye poke defense method for an entire fight and get away with two really brutal eye pokes on replay. He's now eye poked multiple guys over multiple fights, and that was a technical but measured point fighting bout.

Fluffy absolutely beat the shit out of Roman Dolize, who just last year in 2024 went to a majority decision with Imavov. The guy is very technical and good, but he's not a killer and his grappling isn't impressive. It just doesn't look like a tough fight for Khamzat.

Both RDR (world class submission grappling, size, experience) and Fluffy (best in class cardio, unusual style, excellent grappling and G&P) present more interesting problems.

Full disclosure I thought Caio would be able to get Imavov down and win a decision, so its clear Imavov is still improving and getting in world class experience which only helps.

 

[188912345]

Khamzat went 5 rouds vs DDP but I don't think he should be crowned "Kardio Khamzat" just yet. I would like to see him go 5 rounds with someone that can give him a fight at MW like Usman did coming off the couch. When Khamzat or any fighter gets to do 5 rounds of their base discipline with no resistance from their opponent they won't get tired.

I think he definitely showed an ability to have success in the later rounds vs Burns and Usman as well.

Especially in round 3 vs Burns, which was all striking with no takedown attempts.

He took down Usman in rounds 2 and 3 with a seriously injured hand, allegedly also while having a fever.

So far, I don't see anyone managing to shut him out to a decision win, given his proven ability to get takedowns with control time even while tired.

I think it's much more likely that someone finally catches him with a knee, headkick, or another type of KO-blow.

 

[Fact Checker]

Absolutely, they have submission threats to at least give themselves a chance to catch Khamzat slipping. Fluff also has the cardio intangible.


Imavov has mediocre power, zero grappling, and subpar cardio. He would essentially be a rug for Khamzat to walk through.

 

[swizztony]

Absolutely, they have submission threats to at least give themselves a chance to catch Khamzat slipping. Fluff also has the cardio intangible.


Imavov has mediocre power, zero grappling, and subpar cardio. He would essentially be a rug for Khamzat to walk through.

Mediocre power yet was the only guy other than Alex pereira to ever KO adesanya?? Yeah alright lol

 

[Fact Checker]

Mediocre power yet was the only guy other than Alex pereira to ever KO adesanya?? Yeah alright lol

Brother I have two points to refute that:

A) Izzy’s been washed for a while now. He’s 1-4 since running into Alex and taken extensive damage.

B) Let’s not forget Imavov set up that cheap overhand right with his patent eyepoke lol. He always seems to fight with his fingers extended and conveniently always lands eye pokes anytime he needs a reset.


Imavov is great at his craft don’t get me wrong, but he’s not a true one shot KO guy. He’s needs volume to finish but the only issue is his work rate is low because he’s a counter puncher and his cardio is shaky.

 

[flektarn]

- How do we call Imavov the best striker while Sean Strickland easily beat him up?

- Imavov was the THIRD guy in a row to beat Izzy, who lost 4 of his last 5

- ^^^^ its like people completely lose context

- Brendan Allen got him down two fights ago and kept him there

- Caio is a very impressive win, but it was a point fighting stinker decision


We just watched him do a full Jon Jones style eye poke defense method for an entire fight and get away with two really brutal eye pokes on replay. He's now eye poked multiple guys over multiple fights, and that was a technical but measured point fighting bout.

Fluffy absolutely beat the shit out of Roman Dolize, who just last year in 2024 went to a majority decision with Imavov. The guy is very technical and good, but he's not a killer and his grappling isn't impressive. It just doesn't look like a tough fight for Khamzat.

Both RDR (world class submission grappling, size, experience) and Fluffy (best in class cardio, unusual style, excellent grappling and G&P) present more interesting problems.

Full disclosure I thought Caio would be able to get Imavov down and win a decision, so its clear Imavov is still improving and getting in world class experience which only helps.

This. + I think he's a good all arounder but nothing about him is special. And at the very least he needs much better TDD to make the fight...a fight.
At least guys like RDR and Fluffy will try and throw shit up on the ground. The last time khamzat fought a guy with good ground game he fucked off real quick and kept it standing (Burns). I'd be surprised if Imavov can get back up so Khamzat will be content to hold him down + he doesn't have anything special on the ground so there's not much to be scared of in the way of getting subbed. He deserves the TS but he's the least interesting option.

And since this is sports entertainment it wouldn't be surprising if RDR or Fluffy wins in an exciting fashion that Imavov gets passed over.

 

[188912345]

Mediocre power yet was the only guy other than Alex pereira to ever KO adesanya?? Yeah alright lol

I think his chin got diminished after his loss to Pereira.

He ate absolute bombs vs Pereira without going down, then got dropped by Strickland, and KO'd by Imavov.

It's probably a combination of diminished reflexes and diminished chin.

 

[wrb]

I think they should all try to make a fight with DDP first, this way if they lose that can still eventually challenge Khamzat and its a good test. Its possible none of them can beat DDP and he might never lose again in this division. The size difference between Imavov/caio/Fluffy/RDR/Rob vs DDP/Khamzat is bananas, and so far DDP/Khamzat/Fluffy had more energy in the 5 than Rob/RDR/Imavov/Caio.

 

[rjmbrd]

This. + I think he's a good all arounder but nothing about him is special. And at the very least he needs much better TDD to make the fight...a fight.
At least guys like RDR and Fluffy will try and throw shit up on the ground. The last time khamzat fought a guy with good ground game he fucked off real quick and kept it standing (Burns). I'd be surprised if Imavov can get back up so Khamzat will be content to hold him down + he doesn't have anything special on the ground so there's not much to be scared of in the way of getting subbed. He deserves the TS but he's the least interesting option.

100% agreed

And since this is sports entertainment it wouldn't be surprising if RDR or Fluffy wins in an exciting fashion that Imavov gets passed over.

I wouldn't have a problem with it - people keep pretending like Imavov was not the THIRD guy in a row to beat Izzy, who lost 4 of his last 5. That he didn't go to a controversial majority decision with Dolidze, so on.

Fluffy has won 8 in a row, if he beats a streaking RDR that'll be 9. He didn't go to a majority decision with Dolidze, he beat the absolute shit out of him and stopped him. Imavov is coming off a stinker point fighting decision where he got away with eye poking all night.

 

[wrb]

100% agreed



I wouldn't have a problem with it - people keep pretending like Imavov was not the THIRD guy in a row to beat Izzy, who lost 4 of his last 5. That he didn't go to a controversial majority decision with Dolidze, so on.

Fluffy has won 8 in a row, if he beats a streaking RDR that'll be 9. He didn't go to a majority decision with Dolidze, he beat the absolute shit out of him and stopped him. Imavov is coming off a stinker point fighting decision where he got away with eye poking all night.

I want to see Fluffy win, but I just think he’s too small, man. I’m struggling with the size difference between Imavov/Fluffy and Khamzat/DDP—how is that even possible? Maybe it’s the TV, and in person they look closer in size.

 

[mkt]

I just don't see anyone beating cardio-Khamzat by decision.

That would require a new level of takedown defense, or an insane ability to scramble/reverse positions on the ground consistently.

Yep. Like many fighters, Khamzat is more like a Khabib/GSP wrestler now. That doesn't mean he won't finish some opponents, but he's probably not going to go crazy trying to get an early finish and gas.

Imavov may have stuffed some TDs, but hasn't fought anyone with the TDs or wrestling of Khamzat. I mean JDS probably had more proven TDD (D2 Carwin couldn't take him down), but he couldn't stop Cain's relentless TD attempts and wrestling in their last two fights. There are levels to TDD like everything else. I remember people saying O'Malley had good TDD before he fought Merab.

Khamzat-Imavov could easily look a lot like Khamzat-DDP.