The world of MMA is as unpredictable as a roulette wheel, you never know what will happen next! Just a few days ago, fans were questioning Khamzat Chimaev‘s ability to compete at middleweight, doubting his chances against former champion Robert Whittaker. The two are set to face off in the intense heat of Abu Dhabi in a few weeks, where they’ll battle to improve and put themselves next in line for the gold.

Initially, the fight was scheduled to take place during UFC’s debut in Saudi Arabia this past summer, but ‘Borz’ had to withdraw due to illness. In his place, Dagestani newcomer Ikram Aliskerov stepped in to face ‘The Reaper”, but he was no match for Whittaker’s experience. Aliskerov’s attempt to fill the void fell short as Whittaker’s veteran skills overwhelmed the rising prospect. At first, many were uncertain about Khamzat Chimaev’s performance against the Australian native, especially with the Chechen prospect coming off a hiatus due to health issues related to “poor immunity.” Fans were cautious about backing ‘Borz,’ unsure if he could regain his dominant form after the layoff.

However, as time has passed, fans have begun to lean more in favor of Chimaev. Now, he is determined to silence his critics at UFC 308 in the co-main event. For months, Robert Whittaker was seen as the favorite to win, despite Chimaev’s impressive rise in the odds. Yet, a recent update from ‘Borz’ has caused fans to reconsider.

In a social media video uploaded by Freak MMA with the caption “12 days,” Khamzat Chimaev showcased his striking abilities, despite being primarily known for his wrestling. His air-boxing practice intrigued fans, leading many to shift their predictions in Chimaev’s favor. Let’s delve into what fans are saying about the middleweight prospects.

A “Healthier” version of Chimaev changes the tune of fans

Since his debut in the UFC, Khamzat Chimaev has built an unblemished record. At first glance, the stats seem impressive, but when we look more closely, Chimaev has two significant problems. First, as discussed above, and second, his “gas tank.” His explosiveness in the first round often leaves him fatigued, so he needs to finish fights as soon as possible. However, in a recent video, the Chenchen native appeared to have good cardio, as he was boxing without breaks, which led fans to commend the change. One fan commented, “I feel like he looks healthier. He changed teams, and I think it’s going to pay off!”

While witnessing the trailer of Chimaev’s striking in the clip, another fan expressed eagerness to see him fight soon, saying, “Masculine urge to see him fight!” Meanwhile, another fan humorously claimed he would bet his house on him, stating, “Betting the entire house on Khamzat!”

Khamzat Chimaev’s change in training is the result of his new coach, Salim Selbievich Nutsalkhanov who technically was his previous coach under whose wing ‘Borz’ started his journey in combat sports. However, after some time in MMA, he shifted to other coaches who trained him. No wonder this was fruitful, but it also exhausted Chimaev, which his immunity could not handle. This is why his fight against Leon Edwards was pushed back three times, but it never materialized.

Commenting upon his revitalized form, he told Red Corner MMA, “The point is they now let me rest and recover.” With his new coach, Chimaev’s performance has sparked excitement among fans, who are hopeful for significant improvements and have begun to praise his coach, calling him “the legendary coach.” Seeing the middleweight star like this, one fan commented, “Rob is d-ad.” This sentiment was echoed by another fan, who, noticing Chimaev’s shaved head—similar to Alex Pereira’s before his fight—commented, “Oh sh-t, he shaved his head again. It’s over for Rob. RIP ROB.”

Now, all eyes are on the upcoming UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, as Khamzat Chimaev steps into the octagon to pave his way toward the division title by first facing off against Robert Whittaker. Who will you be rooting for Chimaev or Whittaker? Drop your opinion below.