Khamzat Chimaev has just issued a clear message to the middleweight division, with all signals pointing to Dricus Du Plessis as the one in his crosshairs. Without saying anything, ‘Borz’ has made it clear that he is sharpening his weapons, and his recent actions have further fueled rumors about an upcoming clash with the defending champion. While many debate whether Chimaev has done enough to earn a title opportunity, the undefeated juggernaut appears to be sending a message: he is coming in hot, and he is coming for gold. But what exactly is this warning?

‘Borz’ just shared a short video of his training on his Instagram story. In the video, Khamzat Chimaev’s striking abilities are on full display in the clip, as he unleashes an aggressive flurry of punches on the heavy bag. Known mostly for his wrestling and crushing top control, ‘Borz’ is now exhibiting a dangerous growth in his stand-up skills. His combinations are sharp, his power is apparent, and his aggression is as evident as ever.

If Du Plessis was expecting a one-dimensional grappling fight with Chimaev, this footage may serve as a rude awakening for him. For years, Chimaev has been regarded as an unstoppable force, mauling every opponent in his path with sheer aggression. However, his most recent show of striking suggests that he is taking his striking to a different skill level. Overall, he appears to be fine-tuning every part of his game, ensuring that he has the advantage wherever the fight goes. Chimaev’s polished striking could be the key to overwhelming Du Plessis in every department.

With the middleweight division evolving so quickly, Khamzat Chimaev‘s presence is more dangerous than ever. Whether the UFC formally schedules him against Du Plessis or forces him to fight someone else first, one thing is certain: he is prepared for war. And, if his most recent training footage is any indicator, his opponent—the South African champion could soon find himself against a ‘Borz’ the world has never seen. However, a former training partner of Chimaev believes there is one way to stop the Chechen wolf from sitting atop the middleweight throne.

Former training partner drops the key to defeating Khamzat Chimaev

While the MMA world speculates on how Dricus Du Plessis will deal with Khamzat Chimaev’s relentless pressure, one man feels he has the answer. Brazilian middleweight Caio Borralho, Chimaev’s former training partner, has seen ‘Borz’ up close and personal during tough sessions in Sweden and Las Vegas. As a result, the ‘Fighting Nerds’ team leader believes that after five weeks of training with him, he discovered weaknesses that no one else has been able to expose inside the Octagon. Despite his flawless record, Chimaev believes there may be a way to crack the code.

Caio Borralho was asked during an interview with Rampage Jackson how he would do against Chimaev in a possible fight. He reacted confidently, saying, “Actually, I have an advantage against all the guys that should face him.” He went on to say that training with Chimaev provided him with unique insights into his system, allowing him to anticipate the Dagestani fighter’s next actions.

“I kind of know a little bit about his system and what he wants to do next, so he can’t mess with his system,” Borralho added. While acknowledging Chimaev’s superior wrestling, he explained that ‘Borz’ relies on opponents reacting in a specific way to set up his grappling. If someone can break that rhythm, they can disturb his game and compel him to take uncomfortable positions.

Despite highlighting potential flaws in Khamzat Chimaev’s style, Borralho did not downplay what makes him such a formidable opponent. He commended Chimaev’s uncompromising training ethic, recalling instances in which ‘Borz’ pushed himself to extremes few could withstand. “I’ve never seen anyone train like him,” Borralho said. “One time, he did five rounds of sparring, then three or four rounds of pad work, and then a 30-minute round. I was like, What the f*ck is this guy doing?” But what do you think? Will Dricus Du Plessis be able to face the phenom that we know as ‘Borz’? Let us know in the comments.