Khamzat Chimaev Names the Current 4 Complete MMA Fighters in the World

UFC Champion Khamzat Chimaev just revealed the names of the 4 MMA fighters with the most well-rounded skillsets in all of MMA.

Khamzat Chimaev Names the Current 4 Complete MMA Fighters in the World

Khamzat Chimaev (via MMA Mania)

In Short
  • Khamzat Chimaev identifies himself, Islam Makhachev, Ilia Topuria, and Arman Tsarukyan as the only complete MMA fighters.
  • Chimaev emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded skillset in MMA, distinguishing it from other combat sports.
  • Arman Tsarukyan reveals that Chimaev does not study opponents, focusing solely on his own game plan during training.

MMA fighters are the most complete among combat sports athletes, with knowledge and sometimes mastery of multiple martial arts. Among them, UFC fighters represent the cream of the crop. However, Khamzat Chimaev believes there is an even higher tier of fighters that even some current UFC champions have yet to reach.

‘Borz’ is currently winding down his preparations for UFC 328 as his first title defense looms on the horizon. For this training camp, Khamzat Chimaev has enlisted the help of Khalil Rountree Jr. to plug the holes in his game, namely, his striking. This is because the Chechen champion values a multi-faceted, well-rounded skillset.

He discussed this matter with journalist Adam Zubayraev recently. Chimaev said that this totality is what sets MMA fighters apart from other combat sports athletes. He then revealed 4 fighters that he thinks stand out as being truly complete even in MMA.

A pure wrestler without striking or grappling awareness, what could he do against a UFC fighter? Everyone thinks Islam is just a wrestler. What wrestler? Islam has knocked people out. Ilia Topuria grapples well, Arman grapples well, too. We know grappling, we know striking. All of us have knocked people out, submitted, and outwrestled people. It’s a completely different sport.

Khamzat Chimaev via Adam Zubayraev

3 out of the 4 names Chimaev mentioned comprise the top 3 of the UFC’s pound-for-pound list. Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria need no introduction, with both being two of the most complete fighters in UFC history. Moreover, ‘Borz’ has also shown that he is slowly but surely elevating his striking to rub shoulders with them.

As for Arman Tsarukyan, he is also deserving of being on this short list. The only thing holding Tsarukyan back from a higher ranking on the UFC’s pound-for-pound list is his not being a champion. However, given how little the UFC trusts the Armenian, this may not change soon.

Nonetheless, champion or not, Tsarukyan is still an elite fighter with a well-rounded skillset. After all, he would not be training with ‘Borz’ if he wasn’t. But in training with ‘the Chechen, Tsarukyan noticed something unusual that he only recently revealed.

Arman Tsarukyan reveals Khamzat Chimaev does not study opponents

Everyone has heard the stories of Jon Jones studying every mannerism and idiosyncrasy of his opponents before fighting them. In fact, many saw the lack of fight footage as the reason for Jones avoiding a fight with Tom Aspinall. For most MMA fighters and coaches, studying tape on opponents is an essential part of preparing for them.

Khamzat Chimaev and Arman Tsarukyan
Khamzat Chimaev and Arman Tsarukyan (via Instagram)

However, as Arman Tsarukyan revealed on the PBD Podcast, his training partner Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t employ this approach. It seems Chimaev’s approach is more self-centered in this regard. Tsarukyan said that the only thing Borz focuses on while preparing for an opponent is what he will do to them.

I mean, when I watch his training, what he’s doing in sparring, I always try to take something from him…He has a different mindset. He never watches his opponent’s fights. He doesn’t care what they’re gonna do…this guy, he doesn’t know what Strickland does or his other opponents, he never watches them and he doesn’t care what they are going to do. He cares what he’s gonna do to him. So he has his own game plan, just on what he’s gonna do.

Arman Tsarukyan on Khamzat Chimaev’s training style

While one can argue with the method, the results speak for themselves. Despite not studying his opponents, Chimaev can dominate almost all of them. This comes down to his skillset being so well-rounded that no matter where the fight goes, ‘Borz’ is never at a significant disadvantage.

Khamzat Chimaev’s methods differ from those of someone like Jon Jones. However, both ended up arriving at a similar result – utter dominance. Ultimately, given how multifaceted the sport of MMA is, there will never be a silver bullet when it comes to approaching it. With that, the four names that ‘Borz’ mentioned, including himself, may have truly figured out what works best for them.

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