Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has offered his assessment of what it would take to derail the seemingly unstoppable Khamzat Chimaev, following their recent encounter that ended with Whittaker on the wrong end of a first-round submission.
Speaking on the MMArcade podcast, Whittaker was candid about the challenge that Chimaev presents to the entire division. The Australian experienced firsthand the Chechen-born wrestler’s suffocating ground control, and he believes there’s only one path to victory against the undefeated contender.
“I don’t know how anyone beats Khamzat at the moment,” Whittaker admitted during the podcast. “His wrestling is so high level. I feel like the way to beat him is with high level jiu-jitsu.”
The former champion’s analysis comes from a place of intimate knowledge, having been submitted by Chimaev’s relentless pressure and grappling prowess in their Abu Dhabi showdown. The loss was particularly sad for Whittaker, who suffered significant dental damage from the face crank that ultimately forced him to tap.
When discussing potential challengers who might possess the skillset to trouble Chimaev, Whittaker pointed to French middleweight Nassourdine Imavov as someone worth watching. Imavov recently captured attention with his performance at UFC Paris, showcasing the kind of well-rounded abilities that could potentially create problems for the dominant wrestler.
“If Imavov has high level back jiu-jitsu, you know which I know he does have high level jiu-jitsu but if it’s that high level like Gilbert Burns high level then maybe we’ll see something,” Whittaker explained, referencing the Brazilian’s reputation for elite ground skills.
However, the former champion was quick to acknowledge the unpredictable nature of mixed martial arts competition. “I don’t know there’s also fights are funny like anything can happen to him. For sure maybe Chimaev like dives into a knee or a foot,” he noted.
Chimaev’s wrestling credentials have become the foundation of his meteoric rise through the UFC rankings. The 31-year-old has built his reputation on an ability to dictate where competitions take place, often overwhelming opponents with his physicality and technical superiority on the ground.
