Joe Rogan Picks Elite Wrestlers to Solve Khamzat Chimaev Puzzle After Dominant UFC Run

Joe Rogan believes that elite wrestlers can solve the puzzle of Khamzat Chimaev and counter his overwhelming grappling ability.

Joe Rogan Picks Elite Wrestlers to Solve Khamzat Chimaev Puzzle After Dominant UFC Run

Joe Rogan on who can counter Khamzat Chimaev on the ground [via Variety and Al Jazeera]

In Short
  • Joe Rogan suggests elite wrestlers could counter Khamzat Chimaev's grappling dominance.
  • Kamaru Usman provided significant challenges to Chimaev during their fight, showcasing elite grappling skills.
  • Beneil Dariush believes Sean Strickland's wrestling could pose problems for Chimaev in their potential matchup.

UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev is among the most dominant grapplers in the history of the sport. His early career, even in the UFC, was built upon first-round finishes and rear-naked chokes. In his first title fight, his opponent, Dricus Du Plessis, had no answer for his grappling. However, it seems veteran commentator Joe Rogan knows who does.

Joe Rogan has watched Chimaev’s career unfold from the best seats in the house. So naturally, the host of the Joe Rogan Experience has always been complimentary of Khamzat Chimaev’s incredible abilities on the mat. But this keen eye has also led to Rogan figuring out the exact style that can hopefully counter ‘Borz’.

Joe Rogan believes that elite wrestlers can effectively negate Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling. He said on his podcast that a lot of the fighters that the middleweight champion fought were not wrestlers, which worked to their detriment. But Rogan also pointed to one example that stood out from the pack.

The guy that he fought, who was an elite grappler and gave him problems, was Kamaru Usman. Usman took the fight on short notice at 185lbs, and in the third round, Kamaru was winning. That would have been a very interesting fight if it was a 5-round fight and if Kamaru had a full camp.

Joe Rogan on who can solve the Khamzat Chimaev puzzle

Kamaru Usman was definitely one of the hardest fights of Khamzat Chimaev’s career, despite what the 10-8 first round would suggest. The first round aside, Usman did a good job of keeping the fight on the feet and capitalizing on that with his stiff jab and straight shots. Many fans believed that judges at UFC 294 should have scored it a draw.

While the theory from Joe Rogan has merit, it is still flawed. It isn’t that Chimaev hasn’t faced any other elite wrestlers. The problem is that he runs through them regardless. Robert Whittaker, whom he faced at UFC 308, is a former National Wrestling champion. He was finished in the first round by Borz, spending the entire fight on defense before being choked out.

The answer to the Khamzat Chimaev puzzle isn’t as cut and dry as just having elite wrestling. The Chechen’s grappling game is too well-rounded for that to be effective. But UFC veteran Beneil Dariush explained why Sean Strickland might give Chimaev some problems with his skills.

Beneil Dariush warns not to underestimate Sean Strickland’s grappling versus Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev has one of the fastest takedown attempt ever. His ability to get to his opponent’s hips and lock his hands behind them is second to none. So, coupling that with his incredible chain wrestling and athleticism means a takedown is inevitable when facing Chimaev. However, the key may be simply withstanding that early pressure.

Beneil Dariush, Khamzat Chimaev
Beneil Dariush on Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland [via UFC.com and LowKickMMA]

Beneil Dariush is someone who is of this opinion. In a recent interview with Helen Yee, he broke down the fight between Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev. Dariush explained that watching Strickland train his abilities on the mat has made him believe in the former champion’s grappling.

Sean can wrestle. This is what people don’t understand. Every time I see Sean, every time I go over to Vegas, he’s wrestling. He’s working on his wrestling. He’s working on his get-ups…I think Sean is going to get taken down, and I think he’s going to get pressured quite a bit. But I think Sean has the ability to keep getting up, and then round three, round four, round five, that’s where things will be interesting.

Beneil Dariush on Sean Strickland’s grappling

Sean Strickland showed in his first fight against Dricus Du Plessis that taking him down means nothing. Despite taking ‘Tarzan’ down, Du Plessis was unable to mount any offense on the ground against the American. Moreover, he showed the ability to get back up even after being taken down late in the fight. The fight’s result was hotly contested, with many believing Strickland had won.

All in all, Dariush’s assessment of the matchup gives Strickland quite a good chance at negating Chimaev’s grappling on paper. However, actually executing it while standing across the octagon from Chimaev is not easy. But if anyone can do it, it would likely be Sean Strickland by using his ground game to nullify Borz’s grappling and then his unorthodox striking to finish the job.

Also Read: