Georges St Pierre believes Khamzat Chimaev’s fight at UFC 273 is when you “Recognize Warriors” from contenders


Georges St Pierre believes Khamzat Chimaev’s fight at UFC 273 is when you “Recognize Warriors” from contenders

GSP believes that Khamzat Chimaev is destined to be a champion

Georges St Pierre recognizes greatness when he sees it and Khamzat Chimaev certainly exudes that aura. In a recent Q&A with the fans at UFC Paris the long time Welterweight GOAT tried to make a case as to why he feels the Chechen is already championship material.

ADVERTISEMENT

GSP was among the longest reigning welterweight champions and managed to top off his legacy by returning from a long hiatus to capture the middleweight gold from Michael Bisping and forever solidify his legacy as a two-weight champion. Since that fight, he has retired and is content to watch the young generation of the sport pass him by.

Chimaev is what many may consider a prodigy. Undefeated in his 12 professional fights Chimaev had a vicious finish rate and up until his recent fight with Gilbert Burns had only been touched by his opponents thrice in four fights. Compare this to the 260+ strikes that he landed on these opponents and you get an idea as to why he is so highly touted.

Related: “We’ll see how strong he is” – Georges St Pierre breaks his silence on Kamaru Usman’s first UFC Loss at UFC 278

ADVERTISEMENT

Georges St Pierre feels Khamzat Chimaev is championship ready

Khamzat Chimaev x Georges St Pierre
Chimaev defended all 5 takedown attempts by Burns during their fight

However, GSP believes that his fight against Gilbert Burns was the most Telling among all his bouts until now. At UFC 273, Chimaev squared up against Burns in what everyone thought would be a blowout for either guy but turned out to be an absolute slugfest.

Chimaev who had been touched only thrice until that point on his UFC career absorbed over 120 significant strikes in that single fight. He was even knocked down by Burns at a certain point but kept his composure and continued like nothing happened.

GSP felt that this was more telling than anything when it comes to predicting the future for the Chechen. Describing his view on the Chechen he said, “Khamzat is very good. He’s got all the skills and he showcased incredible durability and great mental strength in his last fight, when he fought Gilbert Burns, because he was pushed to the limit. “

Also Read: Jake Shields believes “Fake Gangster” Khamzat Chimaev was terrified during his scuffle with Paulo Costa

ADVERTISEMENT

Going deeper into why he felt that was a necessary experience for fans, the matchmakers and Jhamzat himself he said, “That’s when you recongnize a true warrior, a true champion rather than a contender. When he faced those moments of adversity, some collapse but some push through and succeed- He proved it in his last fight. He’s very good”

Chimaev is on track to face Nate Diaz this weekend at UFC 279, what many suspect will be the Stockton Native’s final appearance in the UFC. What do you feel about GOP’s views on Khamzat? Let us know!

Also Read: WATCH: Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa get into an intense scuffle at the UFC PI