What happens when an undefeated phenom goes up against a former champion? That’s the question buzzing in the MMA sphere ever since the Robert Whittaker vs Khamzat Chimaev UFC 308 bout was announced. While initially the pair were supposed to clash at UFC on ABC 6 in June, ‘Borz’ had to withdraw from the bout due to severe health complications. Now, they are set to throw down on October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Both fighters are known for their grit, skill, and warrior spirit. But as the Octagon nears, some experts believe Chimaev might be in for more than he bargained for when he faces Whittaker. Could this be the fight that finally forces Chimaev into deep waters and marks the end of his undefeated streak? 

In a recent video shared on his Instagram account, Chael Sonnen provided an interesting analysis of the Robert Whittaker vs Khamzat Chimaev matchup. According to him, “Robert Whittaker is a son of a buck to take down, ask Yoel Romero. For 10 rounds he got Bobby Knuckles down twice. The likelihood of him (Chimaev) getting it down over and over and round after round, guys it really is very small and what happens then?”

Sonnen’s comment implies that if Chimaev can’t control Whittaker on the ground, he’ll have no choice but to stand and trade blows. That’s where things could get interesting. He further stated, “Well, Chimaev got into fisticuffs with Burns and it turned out to do some things we didn’t know he could do. Burns hurt him one time, Chimaev got those legs back under him and started returning fire, I mean it turned into a dog fight.” For the unversed, Whittaker has a 27-7-0 record, while his opponent, Adesenya boasts a 24-4-0 record. 

The Gilbert Burns fight took place at UFC 273 in 2022 where ‘Durinho’ and ‘Borz’ battled for 3 rounds, with Chimaev winning the fight via a decision. It was the first decision in Chimaev’s UFC career at that point, still, it exposed a vulnerability. If Chimaev finds himself in another drawn-out brawl, could Whittaker capitalize on that? Especially since the UFC 308 bout is scheduled for 5-rounds. Israel Adesanya seems to think so…

The former middleweight king who has faced ‘The Reaper’ twice—both of which Whittaker lost—recently shared on his YouTube channel, “Rob is just a guy not to be f—- with… Rob will do it again… I just think he’ll catch (Khamzat) later on. But he has to weather the storm… I’m gonna go Rob with the late finish, Round 4.”

So, where does this leave Chimaev? There’s no denying that ‘Borz’ is a force to be reckoned with. His relentless pressure and wrestling have made him a nightmare for most of his opponents. But with Whittaker’s experience, toughness, and ability to fight smart for all five rounds, could his wealth of Octagon time be the difference maker? Surprisingly, the Chechen warrior doesn’t think so!

‘Borz’ believes Whittaker will not be able to withstand his relentless pressure  

Khamzat Chimaev is ready for the biggest test of his career. With an undefeated record of 13-0, including seven UFC victories, the Chechen-born fighter has his sights set on taking down former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the co-main event of UFC 308. But while Whittaker’s experience in high-level fights is undeniable, Chimaev sees his own lack of losses as an advantage.

At the UFC 308 media day, a supremely confident ‘Borz’ proclaimed, “He knows how to lose, we don’t know, so I’m ready for victory.” Since losing his title to Israel Adesanya in 2019, ‘The Reaper’ has only lost in his re-match to Adesanya and more recently, at UFC 290 against Dricus Du Plessis, the current middleweight king.

Outside of those defeats, Whittaker has continued to show that he’s a level above most of the middleweight division as he recently knocked out Ikram Aliskerov in the very first round of their clash. But Chimaev is confident. His wrestling and relentless pressure have bulldozed every opponent who’s tried to stand in his way and he further stated, “Who did stop my takedowns? Nobody. I don’t think this guy will be different.”

To wrap things up, Whittaker has faced some of the best in the sport, and his ability to weather storms and fight smart has been his trademark. Chimaev, however, has bulldozed his way through his competition, untested over five rounds but unwavering in his belief that he’ll smash anyone in his way. The undefeated wrecking machine versus the battle-tested veteran—it’s a clash of styles, experience, and willpower. Will Khamzat Chimaev’s undefeated streak continue, or will Robert Whittaker’s experience and grit finally halt his momentum at UFC 308? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!