As UFC shows halted during the first stateside surge in COVID-19 cases, and with Endeavor’s debt obligations towering over the entire operation, it became clear something radical was in order. The simple phrase “Fight Island” was a tantalizing change of pace for fans desensitized to Zuffa’s utter lack of showmanship. Whatever details Dana White wouldn’t divulge on the subject, John Oliver embellished, and there was little chance the actual event could ever live up to expectations. The three shows weren’t held on a beach, Bruce Buffer didn’t sport an eyepatch, and the ring girls weren’t wearing coconut bikinis.
In the end, it was more marketing than material, but it was also an embarrassment of riches for fight fans. It had to be. Abu Dhabi’s undoubtedly substantial site fee was a saving grace for the UFC in these dire times. In return, the matchmakers put together a slew of title fights, showcases, and showdowns. Shogun-Nogueira III was an obvious gift for the hosts, but it was dwarfed by the debut of an undercard prospect familiar to the region.
Borz. Khamzat Chimaev. The world knows his name now. He fights as often as most people brush their teeth. He gets hit as often as most people floss. He’s the heir to Khabib’s sambo throne. MMA Scout covered him with the 25 Prospects ESPN Missed article published in October of last year. A brief overview noted his dominant wrestling and surprisingly crisp striking. Nowhere in the paragraph about him was star power ever mentioned, and yet somehow his ascent was instantaneous.
At the time of writing, Chimaev was still fighting in Bahrain’s very own BRAVE FC. Should the piece have been written just months prior he might have been joined by Abdoul Abdouraguimov, another undefeated, grapple-heavy threat in BRAVE’s welterweight ranks. His back take and rear-naked choke looked unstoppable until he ran up against Jarrah Hussein Al-Silawi, a fighter built to test such narrow pursuits. Chimaev, by comparison, appears to be a much more symmetrical talent and was scheduled to face Al-Silawi in April until that show was cancelled. He was likely set to overcome the adversity which stifled Abdouraguimov, and the correct amount of adversity is crucial to a prospect’s development.
With that in mind who did UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby, in his infinite wisdom, find for blue-chip prospect Khamzat Chimaev to test his mettle against? A proven anti-wrestler of similar calibre perhaps? No such luck. “The White Mike Tyson” John Phillips took the assignment at middleweight. As his nickname implies, Phillips is not the savviest grappler. So he must be a phenomenal boxer, right? Not exactly. Chimaev closed as the -600 favourite despite being a relative unknown going up a weight class. Phillips landed one strike before being pounded into dust.
The outcome was expected, but the potency of it was not. Chimaev’s froggish transportation of his writhing victim across the cage was immediately iconic. His substantial wrestling acumen was highlighted even further against such an unprepared opponent. “He’s Khabib, but he’s big. He’s Khabig.” The memes wrote themselves. The Tweets went viral. In his post-fight interview, Chimaev demanded a return to the UFC spotlight shortly. Return he did.
So who did Sean Shelby, in his infallible logic, find for Chimaev to test his mettle against? A proven anti-wrestler of similar calibre perhaps? Maybe next time. “Skeletor” Rhys McKee took the assignment at welterweight, his second ever fight in the weight class. As his nickname implies, McKee was quite a lanky lad at 155 where he captured the title in Cage Warriors. Of course, people had noticed his grappling was kind of shaky, but that never stopped Conor McGregor! They even look kind of similar to each other. Conner vs Khabig? That’s interesting, right? Not exactly. Chimaev closed as the -1600 favourite, and McKee landed zero strikes before being pounded into dust.
The outcome was expected, but it was still met with fervent praise. Redditors made their mouths into an “O” shape. Hardcores who knew of Chimaev prior tipped their fedoras (*tips*). The cycle didn’t just repeat- it escalated. Chimaev promised another short break. Then Chimaev came back.
So who did Sean Shelby, in his Kohl’s dress shirt, find for Chimaev to test his mettle against this time? A proven anti-wrestler of similar calibre perhaps? You should know better by now. Gerald “GM3” Meerschaert took the assignment months after proven anti-wrestler Ian Heinisch quickly and effortlessly melted him with an overhand right. On paper, Meerschaert is 6-6 in the promotion. In practice, he mainly gets beat up, tricks people into out-wrestling him, and then hunts for a submission. That sounds unfavourable, but surely a veteran jiu-jitsu ace could offer some adversity for a prospect who had thus far relied on his wrestling? No. Nobody thought that and least of all Sean Shelby. Chimaev closed as a -625 favourite, and GM3 did a Tenet reversal sequence back to the spot where Heinisch left him.
So that catches us up to the present. Al-Silawi’s offer to meet Chimaev in the UFC has been filed away in a dusty cabinet between folders labelled “Endeavor IPO” and “Zuffa Boxing”. Chimaev is still a weight class bigger than the one he plans on campaigning in. Rumours that he will face noted can’t-beat-wrestlers Demian Maia next are circulating. The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi for five events later this September. Chimaev likely won’t be fighting, but he will certainly be present. Dana White might be an egghead, but he recognizes a golden goose when he sees one.
Make no mistake, Chimaev is at the very least an intimidating athlete who is sizable for the division with savvy takedowns and Khabib-level top control. The little of his striking which we have seen looks competent. and the fighters he has connected on have felt it. I think he’s perfectly capable of climbing his way to the top, but the UFC has insisted on rolling out the red carpet instead. They continue to protect investments rather than develop talent. Thankfully, Chimaev is active and eager and there are a dwindling number of gimmie fights left for him at this new altitude. Only a cynic like me could imagine him dispatching Maia, Diaz, and Masvidal for a title shot. Well, me and Sean Shelby.
Chris Faulkner (@ChristoFaulk)
Combat Sports Journalist