(Video) Khamzat Chimaev Dropping Light Heavyweight Title Contender Khalil Rountree Jr Goes Viral

UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev shows exceptional striking during a sparring session with Khalil Rountree Jr.

(Video) Khamzat Chimaev Dropping Light Heavyweight Title Contender Khalil Rountree Jr Goes Viral

Khamzat Chimaev drops Khalil Rountree Jr in sparring (via MMA Mania, Instagram)

In Short
  • Khamzat Chimaev recently dropped light heavyweight contender Khalil Rountree Jr. during a viral sparring session.
  • Chimaev is set to defend his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 328.
  • Joe Rogan highlighted the need for an Olympic-caliber wrestler to effectively challenge Chimaev's dominance in the cage.

Khamzat Chimaev has competed across both the welterweight and middleweight divisions throughout his career, starting in local Russian promotions before joining the UFC. Known for his versatility, Chimaev often enters fight camp significantly larger, at times resembling a heavyweight. This was highlighted in recent training footage where the Chechen champion dropped light heavyweight Khalil Rountree Jr.

Chimaev last fought at UFC 319 against Dricus Du Plessis, delivering one of the most dominant wrestling performances in UFC history. The bout, however, created the perception that he specializes only in wrestling and grappling. Despite this view, Chimaev has finished five of his fifteen career wins by knockout or TKO. His striking ability is a key component alongside his grappling throughout his career.

While Chimaev usually trained in Europe or UAE, he has recently begun working under Sam Calavitta at Treigning Labs in Southern California, a facility popular among top UFC fighters. He started training there with Rountree Jr., and recent sparring footage quickly went viral online. A short right hand from ‘Borz’ during the session notably dropped Rountree, drawing widespread attention to his striking power.

Calavitta’s training approach focuses on identifying Chimaev’s strengths and enhancing them to their maximum potential. This method was evident in Rountree’s post-sparring remarks, where he described the session as extremely demanding. Rountree revealed that Chimaev consistently tested his limits throughout the drills. The experience even led the 205-pound contender to question his own skill level.

The sparring session comes days after Dana White officially announced Chimaev’s first title defense against Sean Strickland at UFC 328. Analysts note that the unorthodox training may be specifically designed to mirror Strickland’s unpredictable, versatile fighting style. Chimaev and Strickland were previously training partners before becoming arch-rivals, which could strongly influence his approach.

Interestingly, ‘Borz’ was prepared to move up to light heavyweight for a potential superfight with former champion Alex Pereira. However, Pereira has moved to heavyweight and is set to face Ciryl Gane for the interim belt at UFC Freedom Fights 250. With that confirmed, Khamzat Chimaev remains focused on defending his middleweight title, highlighting his adaptability and status as a complete fighter.

Joe Rogan reveals the level of competition needed to match Khamzat Chimaev’s dominance

Khamzat Chimaev’s performances have been in a different league ever since his first few fights in the UFC. Across four consecutive bouts, he absorbed only one significant strike, highlighting his defensive skill and control. Early questions about his game, raised after matchups with Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman, lingered briefly. All doubts were largely put to rest when he dominated Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319.

Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev (via Instagram)

Joe Rogan has consistently praised Chimaev’s dominance inside the cage, noting the Chechen champion’s ability to control opponents across multiple weight classes. He has also questioned who could realistically challenge Chimaev’s ground game, especially in the middleweight division. Recently, he spoke about the exceptional levels of Chimaev’s overall fighting abilities.

There are just these gaps in wrestling, these gaps in grappling, when this guy is a very good grappler and then you are taking out a guy like Dricus, he is really striker. There are levels. Then there is Khamzat, man, you gotta be an Olympic-calibre wrestler to scrap with that guy.

Joe Rogan via PowerfulJRE

UFC legend Chael Sonnen recently suggested that rising MMA star and Olympic wrestling champion Gable Steveson could be America’s answer to Khamzat Chimaev. Steveson’s elite wrestling credentials may position him to challenge Chimaev’s dominance on the ground. This scenario aligns with Joe Rogan’s recent comments about the type of fighter needed to match the Chechen champion.

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