Unbeaten UFC middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev has — probably quite justifiably — a lot of confidence in his abilities in the cage.
Chimaev, who holds a career record of 13-0 (7-0 UFC), is scheduled to fight former 185-pound champion Robert Whittaker as part of the UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi on October 26 — and while many might forecast this as the sternest test of Chimaev’s career to date, the Chechen-born fighter isn’t anticipating too much of a challenge from ‘The Reaper.’ Or from anyone, really.
Per a video released online by the social media personality Riadhlevrai, Chimaev assessed some of his possible future opponents, starting with former 185-pound champions Sean Strickland (with whom Chimaev has trained at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas) and Israel Adesanya.
Khamzat Chimaev rates fighters from 1-10, 1 being an easy fight and 10 being a difficult fight:
Sean Strickland = 5
Israel Adesanya = 5 to 6
Robert Whittaker = 3 to 4
Leon Edwards = 2 to 3
Shavkat Rakhmonov = 5
Jon Jones = 9🎥 TikTok / Riadhlevrai #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/1hThY32a1X
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 22, 2024
“I think five,” Chimaev said, rating both men out of ten. “[Strickland] started to talk too much. He knows already what I did with him in the gym. They say sparring is different from fighting, but it’s the same sh*t.”
As for Adesanya, Chimaev said: “Of course, I’m going to catch him, take him down and squeeze his head off.”
Whittaker, meanwhile, is a “three or four” according to Chimaev. “I thought he was a good guy, but he’s started to lie now. I don’t like that guy.”
Leon Edwards, meanwhile, who was scheduled to fight Chimaev in the welterweight division on a number of occasions is a “two or a three,” with Chimaev adding, “that should be easy. I’ll smash his face.”
Shavkat Rakhmonov, the unbeaten welterweight contender, scores slightly higher at five out of ten. “He’s a good striker and has a good chin as well — but no wrestling.”
There is one fighter, though, who Chimaev admits may cause him some headaches: the UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
“Nine,” Chimaev said. “I would shoot him from far away, man. Don’t make problems or trouble.”
