“I was paying attention…” Khamzat Chimaev faces threat as ex-training partner rises as potential contender

Khamzat Chimaev is one of the most hyped fighters on the current UFC roster. The Chechen superstar is undefeated in the UFC, and a favorite to win the middleweight championship. However, the ‘Borz’ might face rising prospect Caio Borralho, with whom he has trained before.

The UFC middleweight division has been one of the most volatile in the last few years, with continuous new champions. Borralho is one of the most talented fighters in the division, and is currently ranked #6. In a recent interview, the Brazilian fighter talked about potentially fighting Chimaev and how it would go. 

Borralho’s last fight was at UFC Vegas 96 where he defeated Jared Cannonier via unanimous decision. The Brazilian fighter has an incredible combination of grappling and striking, which makes him entertaining for the fans. The Brazilian rising star is desperate to fight top middleweights and get his hands on the UFC gold.

On the other hand, Chimaev demolished former champion Robert Whittaker with ease in his last outing. The Chechen fighter used his elite wrestler to break Whittaker’s jaw, and was quick to call out for a championship opportunity. CEO Dana White has already given green light to this and fans are excited about Chimaev’s next fight.

Khamzat Chimaev to fight in the US? 

Khamzat Chimaev burst into the UFC with dominant performances, finishing opponents in record time. His relentless wrestling, power, and aggression made him a rising star. Winning multiple fights without absorbing strikes, he quickly gained hype. On top of that, his rivalries with top contenders and title solidified his status as a feared challenge.

However, Chimaev has also struggled to fight on US soil. The main reason behind this was his relationship with Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov. However, after Donald Trump‘s election win, the middleweight fighter was optimistic about potentially fighting in the US. In a recent interview, Chimaev’s teammate shared further details about it. 

Guram Kutateladze says Donald Trump being President is good for Khamzat Chimaev’s chances of fighting for the belt in the United States.

Inside Fighting EXCLUSIVE courtesy of @LynchOnSports pic.twitter.com/7ndPz0Qr8o

— InsideFighting (@InsideFighting_) March 13, 2025

Apart from his relationship with Kadyrov, Chimaev has also faced criticism for scamming his fans by crypto pumping and dumping. Former champion, Sean Strickland has been very vocal about this in the last few months. Irrespective of all these controversies, Chimaev still enjoys a massive global fan base. 

Can Khamzat Chimaev become a UFC champion next?

The UFC middleweight division is currently ruled by none other than Dricus Du Plessis. The South African is undefeated in UFC and had an unstoppable title run in the last few years. He won the title by beating Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in a controversial fight.

However, DDP shut down his doubters at UFC 305 by defending his belt and getting a dominant win against Israel Adesanya. He continued the same moment in the rematch against Sean Strickland, and remains ready to fight Khamzat Chimaev. Both fighters have already shared online insults and the rivalry is getting more intense with time.

While Chimaev is known for being the most dominant wrestler in UFC, DDP’s weird fighting style has also been effective. Both fighters have the tools to beat each other but the champion does have an edge in terms of cardio. The ‘Borz’ will most probably have to finish the fight in the early rounds before the South African dictates the rhythm of the fight.

Related: Dricus Du Plessis Net Worth, Endorsements, UFC contract, Wife and House

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