A lot consider Chechnya wolf Khamzat Chimaev’s grappling as too much for UFC 205-pound champion Alex Pereira. ‘Poatan’ is known to have holes in his ground game, but that’s not the issue. It’s more a case of Khamzat Chimaev better than Pereira bad. After 2024, a scrap between them could be electric. Former rival Kevin Holland weighs in.
Alex Pereira vs. Chimaev is one of the most interesting scraps to make this year. Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) teased on his IG that his next fight could be a curveball. Other than a move up to heavyweight or rather a fall to middleweight, some are thinking it’s a Khamzat Chimaev fight at 185/205. Kevin Holland weighs in on how he thinks it’ll go.
It’s a tough that’s a tough,that’s a tough one…it’s a easy sell but it’s a tough fight to call. like, uh it’s like anything – anything outside of round one you know it’s probably Pereira. You know anything inside round one probably Chimaev you know. It’s like, uh I don’t think Pereira’s the fastest starter…if Chimaev gets a hold of him, you know, that sucks.
Kevin Holland on Overdogs Podcast with Mike Perry Season 2 (@Overdogspod)
The Chechen ‘Borz’ has had his in-camp ailments and weight-cut issues. But that has never halted Chimaev from being explosive on the lean-in and inside the clinch. In 2024 alone, he has had two camps and coupled his Team Tiger Muay Thai (TMT) striking with enhanced cardio conditioning. While Alex Pereira has had a meteoric year to fame with triple KOs, this will be a problem.
Kevin Holland has had his share of ‘Borz’ time as well when Chimaev defeated him at UFC 279. So, he just knows what one gets in that frame. Subsequently, ‘Trailblazer’ Holland isn’t the only one who thinks Pereira will have a tough time.
Robert Whitaker backs Khamzat Chimaev to defeat UFC champion Alex Pereira
Robert Whittaker believes Khamzat Chimaev’s grappling will be all too much for UFC champ Alex Pereira to handle. Whittaker had first-hand experience of Chimaev’s grappling prowess. He was quickly submitted by the undefeated star in their middleweight clash at UFC 308 PPV in October.
Khamzat Chimaev’s latest rival weighs in on his chances at 205 (Source: X)Chimaev’s Round-one submission (face crank)– however dangerous – is not his only attribute that had an effect over ‘Reaper’. It’s his pace, mostly. There were doubts about Khamzat Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) lasting five instead of three rounds and not gassing. He did not care to wait long enough to find out. Hence, Whittaker has ideas about how the matchup would go, at 205 pounds
I saw a rumor that Chimaev might go up and fight Pereira, …Imagine that…Chimeav [wins]. Not easily, Chimaev though. Unless the heavyweight strength changes the dynamic…Chimaev will get the takedown and it’s just that he’s good at what he does, he plays into his strengths.
Robert Whittaker on his MMArcade Podcast
Whittaker (27-8 MMA, 17-6 UFC) had his digits crushed in his first-round submission loss. It has prompted him to undergo dental surgery and a rebound phase. He himself is eyeing a move north to 205 and keeping a close eye. However, it’s not all rainbows for the Chechen. If Chimaev can’t keep up his intense pace throughout, Whittaker sees it going the “Poatan” punishing way.
Many already consider Chimaev a big prop to be champ in 2025 at middleweight. It’d absolute chaos if he could challenge guard at light heavyweight as well. For now, it’s anyone’s guess as to how it goes.
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