Khamzat Chimaev is ready to dismantle Kamaru Usman with Khabib Nurmagomedov-style fighting as critics hype rival’s American wrestling

Khamzat Chimaev wants to show off his'mountain wrestling' skills against Kamaru Usman's 'American wrestling' in the upcoming UFC 294 fight.

Khamzat Chimaev is ready to dismantle Kamaru Usman with Khabib Nurmagomedov-style fighting as critics hype rival’s American wrestling

Khamzat Chimaev wants to pull off a Khabib Nurmagomedov in his upcoming fight against Kamaru Usman ( Image via Imago / X )

Khamzat Chimaev is determined to demonstrate his formidable mountain wrestling skills when he faces off against Kamaru Usman. He is setting the stage for a showdown reminiscent of Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s legendary grappling prowess. Chimaev and Nurmagomedov share a common wrestling background, showcasing their impressive wrestling abilities. While this background allowed Khabib to retire with a perfect undefeated record, Chimaev’s takedown defense also stands unchallenged.

The spotlight on this discussion intensified during the UFC 294 pre-fight press conference when Chimaev addressed the challenges of taking on a wrestling expert like Kamaru Usman. He emphasized the fundamental differences between his mountain wrestling and American wrestling, saying, “It’s American wrestling, brother…”. He pointed out his mountain wrestling background and argued that it is a significant distinction enough. Chimaev went on to draw comparisons to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s performance against Justin Gaethje, hinting at a similar outcome in their fight.

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Chimaev’s statement suggested that he aims to replicate the wrestling dominance seen in Khabib Nurmagomedov’s fight against Justin Gaethje. However, it is also important to acknowledge that Chimaev has, on occasion, playfully rejected comparisons to the former UFC champion.

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Initially, Chimaev was set to face Paulo Costa in a highly anticipated showdown at UFC 294. However, Paulo Costa called off the fight at the last minute after the surgery he underwent got infected. Khamzat Chimaev will now take on Kamaru Usman this October at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Related: “The game play against you,” Khamzat Chimaev refuses to predict outcome of Kamaru Usman fight after brutal reality check against Gilbert Burns

Khamzat Chimaev speaks on UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland

Khamzat Chimaev holds a strong belief that places him in a league above the UFC middleweight champion, Sean Strickland. Chimaev has had the opportunity to spar with Strickland in the past. He expressed his respect for Strickland’s fighting spirit but asserted his superiority in all aspects of the sport.

Sean Strickland
Sean Strickland beat Islam Makhachev to become UFC middleweight champion (Image via Imago)

Chimaev confidently recounted his accolades during the media day. He doesn’t find anything particularly exceptional in Strickland’s skill set. To him, Strickland is reminiscent of an American cowboy straight out of the movies. Chimaev was quick to acknowledge Strickland’s role in presenting a challenge to Israel Adesanya during their UFC 293 bout. Chimaev believes that Strickland has paved the way for defeating Israel Adesanya.

Khamzat Chimaev’s outlook is clear. He clearly believes that he is on the verge of greatness. He is poised to prove that he is not just better than Sean Strickland but better than any opponent who enters the octagon against him.

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