Khamzat Chimaev’s meteoric rise in mixed martial arts has left the UFC middleweight division—and the entire MMA world—buzzing with speculation, admiration, and, for some, a touch of fear. After capturing the middleweight crown at UFC 318 last month with a dominant unanimous decision win over Dricus du Plessis, the undefeated Chechen powerhouse now boasts a staggering fifteen consecutive victories in professional combat sports. That’s no small feat, and it’s got fans and fighters asking the same burning question: who, if anyone, can stop Chimaev?
The answer, if you ask former undisputed middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, is far from simple. Whittaker, who knows Chimaev’s ferocity firsthand after their brutal encounter last year, has become one of the few voices willing to openly discuss what it might take to dethrone the new king of the middleweights. Their bout was a harrowing affair for Whittaker, ending in the first round when Chimaev secured a face crank so powerful it fractured multiple teeth in Whittaker’s lower jaw. The memory of that defeat—and the physical toll it exacted—still lingers.
Reflecting on both his experience in the cage and Chimaev’s relentless run, Whittaker shared his thoughts on the MMArcade podcast just this week. His assessment was as frank as it was sobering for Chimaev’s future opponents. “I don’t know how anyone beats Khamzat (Chimaev) at the moment,” Whittaker admitted. “His wrestling is so high-level. I feel like the way to beat Khamzat is with high-level Jiu-Jitsu.”
It’s a sentiment echoed across the MMA landscape. Chimaev’s wrestling has been described as suffocating, his pressure unyielding, and his confidence seemingly unshakeable. Yet, as Whittaker points out, every fighter has a weakness—no matter how well hidden. “If (Nassourdine) Imavov has high-level back Jiu-Jitsu, then maybe we’ll see something. It’s a fight; anything can happen—maybe Chimaev dives into a knee or foot,” Whittaker continued, offering a glimmer of hope to those searching for the champion’s Achilles’ heel.
That mention of Nassourdine Imavov is no accident. Imavov, fresh off a statement win against Caio Borralho just days ago, has rapidly ascended the ranks and now finds himself squarely in the conversation for a title shot. His victory over Borralho wasn’t just another notch in the win column—it was a performance that showcased both technical skill and the kind of composure required to challenge a fighter of Chimaev’s caliber. For Imavov, the timing couldn’t be better, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
But Imavov isn’t the only name swirling around the title picture. UFC color commentator Joe Rogan, never one to shy away from bold predictions, has floated another intriguing possibility: former gold holder Sean Strickland. On a recent Fight Companion episode, Rogan argued, “Well, who else then? Who’s getting Khamzat next? It really depends on what (Reinier De Ridder vs Anthony Hernandez) looks like, right, because this was a f—— war. Interesting, who is the big star behind these guys, behind Imavov… Who’s the big star other than him (that could leapfrog him)? (Sean Strickland) is the biggest star, for sure.”
Rogan’s point is hard to ignore. Strickland, with his brash personality and proven track record, brings both name recognition and a unique stylistic challenge. Yet, as things stand, the most compelling case belongs to Imavov. He’s riding a wave of momentum, and his grappling credentials—particularly if his Jiu-Jitsu is as sharp as Whittaker suspects—could present the kind of stylistic puzzle that Chimaev has yet to solve.
So what makes Chimaev so difficult to beat? For starters, his wrestling base is among the best in the sport. Time and again, he’s imposed his will on opponents, dragging them into deep waters and refusing to let them breathe. His transition to the middleweight division has only amplified his physical advantages, allowing him to blend speed, strength, and relentless pressure in a way few can match. Add in his confidence—bordering on swagger—and you have a champion who seems immune to the usual pitfalls of stardom.
Yet, as Whittaker’s comments suggest, the blueprint for beating Chimaev may not lie in striking or wrestling but in the nuanced world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Fighters with elite submission games have, in the past, managed to neutralize dominant wrestlers by threatening from their backs or capitalizing on scrambles. If Imavov, or another contender, can combine defensive wrestling with opportunistic submissions, the door to an upset could crack open—if only slightly.
Of course, speculation is part and parcel of the fight game. As Chimaev himself has shown, he thrives on pressure and expectation, often rising to the occasion when the spotlight is brightest. His response to new challengers has been consistent: bring them on. The Chechen star has made it clear he’s willing to face all comers, and with the middleweight division as stacked as it’s ever been, the list of potential opponents is both long and dangerous.
For now, though, the story remains centered on Chimaev’s dominance. His fifteenth straight win at UFC 318 was not just a personal milestone—it was a statement to the rest of the division. Dricus du Plessis, the latest to fall, found himself on the wrong end of a masterclass in control and pressure. And while Chimaev’s reign looks unassailable, the whispers of vulnerability—however faint—are beginning to circulate.
As the UFC brass weighs its options, fans are left to debate the merits of Imavov, Strickland, and even dark horses like Reinier de Ridder. The only certainty is that Chimaev’s next fight will be must-watch television, with the world tuning in to see if anyone can finally solve the puzzle. Until then, the champion remains atop the mountain, unbeaten and, in the eyes of many, seemingly unbeatable.
But as Robert Whittaker so aptly put it, “It’s a fight; anything can happen.” And in the unpredictable world of MMA, that’s all the hope a challenger needs.
