If there’s one word that defines Khamzat Chimaev, it’s his mentality and the speed inside the Octagon. The undefeated powerhouse may have faced a bit of an issue with his health lately, but once that Octagon door shuts, he’s as ruthless as ever. That was on full display at UFC 308, where the Chechen-born wrecking machine delivered a masterclass in dominance. ‘Borz’ took on the former champion Robert Whittaker and dismantled him with precision and ferocity.

However, there have been times when the Chechen fighter has been made to look just like a normal fighter. One such occasion was when he shared the Octagon with former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Chimaev, the undefeated wrecking machine, was originally set to face Paulo Costa, but a last-minute opponent switch brought Usman into the spotlight. Despite taking the fight on short notice and moving up to middleweight, the former welterweight champion wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. The fight went the full distance and Chimaev was able to keep his winning record going.

However, it was Usman who caught the attention of many as well. He matched the Chechen fighter toe to toe and displayed exceptional wrestling skills. Even Chimaev acknowledges the fact and in a recent conversation labeled him as the ‘hardest opponent’ he has ever faced. Red Corner. MMA took to their Instagram page to share Chimaev’s sentiments. The undefeated fighter said, “The hardest opponent in my career? I’d say Kamaru Usman. He defended very well against wrestling, his wrestling is pretty good, he defended well against grappling, not even wrestling. He didn’t give me his neck. I was trying to choke him for 5 minutes, but he defended well.” 

The last time Chimaev fought Usman, he won via a majority decision. However, even that win wasn’t without any setbacks. He had picked up an injury to his hand early on in the fight. As he mentioned back then, “First round, I think I broke my hand and finger. I couldn’t punch hard with right hand. My right hand is a big weapon. When you can’t use it, it’s hard to work.”

A lot has changed for Chimaev after his recent fight in the middleweight division. He lost a bit of momentum in the division because of his health concerns. Despite struggling with his health and pulling out of fights in recent times, ‘Borz’ is back with a bang. The 30-year-old will most likely take on Dricus Du Plessis next in his career. Or that’s what the fans want to see. So what happens if these two powerhouses clash against each other? Kamaru Usman feels Chimaev will have some problems.

Kamaru Usman feels Khamzat Chimaev will find it tough against Du Plessis

At UFC 312, Dricus Du Plessis proved to the world why he is the best in the division. Taking on Sean Strickland for the second time in his career, ‘Stillknocks’ managed to end the rivalry once and for all. However, he has a new challenge up his sleeves and that’s Khamzat Chimaev. Most fans and experts believe that the next fight in the division should be between these two fighters. While there have been no official announcements for the fight, predictions have already started to flow in. One of the biggest concerns for the champion will be Chimaev’s grappling skills.

However, Usman feels there’s more to the fight. During one of the recent episodes of his ‘Pound 4 Pound’ podcast he shared his honest opinion on the possible fight. He said, “I think he can keep him down, but I don’t know if he can get the finish because Dricus is very, very tough. There’s a reason Dricus is the champ,”. Du Plessis is undeniably tough—remarkably so. He has an uncanny ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, turning the tide of a fight when it seems all but lost. His resilience and relentless fighting spirit make him a nightmare for opponents who think they have him figured out.

Not to mention, the South African is as strong as a bull and possesses a relentless, unorthodox style that blends raw aggression with surprisingly sharp technique. His wild, almost chaotic striking may not always be the most aesthetically pleasing, but it’s undeniably effective—overwhelming opponents with sheer force and unpredictability. What do you think happens when these two fight each other? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.