In signature animated Joe Rogan fashion, the veteran micsman is in awe of Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev’s explosive wrestling bursts and lean-ins are nothing new. He pairs that up well with striking lessons from Team Tiger Muay Thai (TMT). The Chechen ‘Borz’ was on full display at the weekend’s UFC 308 pay-per-view (PPV) co-headliner. Subsequently, Rogan thinks the mount and dominance were even better than those of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) crushed former champion Robert Whittaker’s jaw for a first-round submission in Saturday’s UFC 308 PPV co-mains. The takedown for the face-crank came in fast, after just teeing in two leg shots. ‘Reaper’, otherwise infamous for his distance/range management, could not do anything. It reminded the color commentator of the ‘Eagle’ and his sticky top-mount action that won him performance rewards, Best Submission ESPYs, and so on.
I just remember Khamzat shooting two leg kicks…yeah, there it is two leg kicks. So…Khamzat just shot in on him and just started beating the fu*k out of them. When Robert got up once Khamzat dove on him again…it’s demoralizing. [On Khabib comparison] Right…maybe even more intense, cuz maybe, even more dominant. To do that to Whitaker, like that guy who’s a world champion is scarier.
Joe Rogan on the ‘JRE’ Show 2220 – w/ Francis Foster & Konstantin Kisin – PowerfulJRE
Nurmagomedov has faced some ridicule from fan cliques and pundits over the years for subpar competition. One of his biggest challenges came as a high-acumen Irish shot-puncher, Conor McGregor. The UFC 229: Khabib vs. McGregor PPV event was a big booster in both their tenures. However, Rogan presents that it took a while for the wrestle-heavy Khabib to get over the challenges and take down the former 2-division champ.
Whereas, unlike Nurmagomedov, Chimaev stormed in with a takedown easy-peasy, less than 20 seconds in at the UFC 308 co-mains. He was able to get a hook in for the rear-naked choke. Whittaker defended well, but ‘Borz’ was explosively hunting for his back. There were doubts about Chimaev’s tank for a 5-round affair. However, his ungodly pressure got it done in just one. It’s only natural Rogan and others are tagging him for a title run next.
Joe Rogan: ‘Scary’ Khamzat Chimaev gets UFC middleweight title shot after UFC 308
Joe Rogan is backing Khamzat Chimaev for crack at the UFC middleweight title. Chimaev returned in emphatic fashion at UFC 308 and grated through a former champ easily. The Team Allstars Training Center ‘Borz’ is the talk of the town after that. It’s already a ‘Submission of the Month’ top runner and SOTY candidate for several MMA media outlets.
UFC CEO Dana White originally tabbed and touted loudmouth Sean Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) as champion Dricus Du Plessis‘ next challenger. However, like many others, free thinker Rogan presents Chimaev as much more worrisome and a better option.
Once he gets a hold of you, it’s so dangerous, …He gets a title shot, I think. … Not just that, but ran through him. He didn’t get touched. He ran through him and strangled him in the first round…think about this at 185: So this guy was killing himself to get to 170. At 185, he’s the fu*king man. That guy’s a scary a** motherfu*ker – scary.
Joe Rogan on the ‘JRE Fight Companion’ Podcast – October 26, 2024 – PowerfulJRE
Already running on twice-promised title shots, Chimaev, with a perfect “0” and a cranky finish, is it. Whereas Strickland has a decision title loss and a decision stomp to his name. He refuses to fight again unless it’s to rematch Du Plessis for the title. But the ‘Borz’ in his sight might say otherwise.
