Khamzat Chimaev has built an impressive UFC career through a series of dominant performances that have established him as one of the most feared fighters in the promotion. From his debut to his recent victory over a former champion, Chimaev's path has been marked by efficiency and technical brilliance.
The Chechen-born fighter burst onto the UFC scene in spectacular fashion on Fight Island, securing a second-round submission against John Phillips. Chimaev immediately showcased his wrestling prowess, taking Phillips down early and delivering punishing ground-and-pound before applying a D'Arce choke to seal his first UFC victory.
What happened next was unprecedented in modern UFC history. Just ten days after his middleweight debut, Chimaev dropped to welterweight and demolished Rhys McKee. The fight lasted mere moments, with Chimaev securing a takedown in the opening seconds, carrying McKee across the octagon, and finishing him with ground strikes. This quick turnaround set a UFC record that still stands.
Against Gerald Meerschaert, Chimaev needed only 17 seconds to make another statement. Rather than relying on his wrestling, he unleashed a single right hand that immediately knocked out the veteran middleweight. This performance completed an astonishing run of three UFC victories in just 66 days.
After a year-long absence, many wondered if Chimaev would maintain his momentum. He answered emphatically at UFC 267, dominating Li Jingliang in memorable fashion. In one of the bout's most talked-about moments, Chimaev literally carried Li across the octagon toward UFC CEO Dana White before securing a rear-naked choke victory in the first round.
The 2022 clash with Gilbert Burns represented Chimaev's first real test against elite competition. The three-round war was named Fight of the Year, with both men landing significant blows. Despite being dropped in the second round, Chimaev rallied to secure a unanimous decision victory, proving he could overcome adversity against top-tier opposition.
Perhaps Chimaev's most impressive performance came recently at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, where he faced former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. Against all expectations, Chimaev quickly took Whittaker's back in the first round and secured a submission victory, earning his first Performance Bonus since 2022 and establishing himself as a legitimate middleweight title contender.
With each fight, Chimaev has answered more questions about his ceiling as a fighter. The once-prospect has transformed into a legitimate championship threat across two weight classes. Will his next appearance finally be for UFC gold?
