Khamzat Chimaev’s performance against Robert Whittaker was unbelievable, and if you had any doubts about his abilities, they should be completely gone now. What we saw at UFC 300 was an absolute masterclass in grappling, wrestling, and fight IQ. Too easy might be an understatement. Chimaev made one of the best middleweights in the history of the sport look like a novice, dominating Robert Whittaker with ease.
The Context: Whittaker, the “Unbeatable” Middleweight
Before this fight, Robert Whittaker was regarded as one of the toughest, most well-rounded middleweights in the UFC. A former champion, Whittaker had never been finished in the first round in his entire career. He had faced off against some of the best grapplers and wrestlers in the sport, including Olympic-caliber athletes and BJJ black belts, and never once had he been submitted. In fact, Whittaker was considered one of the best anti-grapplers in the division, having thwarted the takedowns of countless high-level fighters. So, for anyone to come along and dominate him in this way—especially after a long layoff—was nothing short of astonishing.
The First Round: Khamzat Chimaev Does It All
From the very first second of the fight, it was clear that Khamzat Chimaev was in control. He opened with a takedown attempt so fast that Whittaker didn’t have time to react. The speed of Chimaev’s takedown was unreal, especially given that he is a middleweight who shouldn’t be able to move that fast. But he did, and Whittaker found himself pressed up against the fence, with Chimaev already working for position.
But here’s the thing—this wasn’t just about power. Chimaev’s wrestling was precise, his transitions seamless, and his understanding of grappling dynamics was superior. As Whittaker tried to scramble and regain his footing, Chimaev relentlessly chained his wrestling. At one point, he took Whittaker’s back, securing both hooks, and despite Whittaker’s elite scrambling ability, Chimaev didn’t let him escape. The clinch exchanges, the positioning on the ground, the relentless pressure—it was all textbook, yet Whittaker couldn’t do a thing about it.
And then, the moment everyone will remember: Chimaev locked in a neck crank. The speed and strength with which he applied it were just too much for Whittaker. There was no space, no chance for recovery. Whittaker tapped out immediately, his jaw dislocated by the force of the crank. It was a first-round submission, and it happened against one of the toughest and most well-rounded middleweights in UFC history. Too easy.
Hamzat Chimaev: The Best Grappler in MMA?
What we witnessed from Chimaev wasn’t just a great performance—it was a statement. A statement that he might be the best grappler in MMA today. His ability to control elite fighters like Whittaker, who’s known for his strong takedown defense and anti-grappling skills, shows that Chimaev is on another level.
We’ve seen dominant wrestlers and grapplers in the sport before—fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, and Daniel Cormier come to mind. But what sets Chimaev apart is his ability to blend speed, power, and technique in a way that we haven’t seen at middleweight. He moves like a featherweight but has the strength of a light heavyweight. His takedowns are as fast and explosive as anyone in the sport, and his top control is suffocating. His submission skills, as shown against Whittaker, are absolutely on point.
In a division filled with great grapplers and wrestlers, Chimaev is already standing at the top. The fact that he was able to submit a fighter like Whittaker—who has never been submitted before—just proves that Chimaev isn’t just a future champion; he might be the best grappler we’ve ever seen at 185 pounds.
What Does This Mean for the Division?
With this victory, Chimaev has established himself as the clear No. 1 contender for the middleweight title. After running through Whittaker like this, who else is even close to him in the division?
Israel Adesanya: The reigning middleweight champion is an incredible striker, but his grappling defense has always been a question mark. Chimaev’s wrestling and grappling are on a level above anyone Adesanya has faced. If they meet, it’s hard to see how Adesanya survives a takedown from Chimaev.
Sean Strickland: Strickland’s striking and pressure game are solid, but he has never faced someone with Chimaev’s ability to control the fight on the ground. Strickland doesn’t have the takedown defense or scrambling ability to survive in Chimaev’s world. I believe Chimaev would take him down early and submit him just like he did Whittaker.
Dricus Du Plessis: The South African’s wild, aggressive style is one that could cause problems for some fighters, but it’s hard to see him matching Chimaev’s wrestling. Chimaev has been able to neutralize aggressive fighters before, and with Du Plessis’s grappling defense being far less refined than Whittaker’s, I see Chimaev running through him too.
At this point, Khamzat Chimaev is the future of the middleweight division. He’s the best grappler, the strongest wrestler, and the most dangerous fighter in the weight class. If he continues to improve at this rate, we’re looking at a long reign at the top for Chimaev.
The Takeaway
Khamzat Chimaev has shown the world that he’s not just another contender—he’s a game-changer. His fight against Robert Whittaker was one of the most dominant performances we’ve seen in UFC history, and it’s clear that Chimaev is on a different level. Whether it’s his speed, his strength, or his wrestling, he’s a threat to anyone in the division. The way he ran through Whittaker in the first round wasn’t just impressive—it was too easy.
At this point, the real question is: who can stop Khamzat Chimaev? The answer? It doesn’t seem like anyone in the middleweight division is even close.
Khamzat Chimaev is the best—and the rest of the division better take notice.
