Khamzat Chimaev has bulldozed through the UFC ranks with his relentless pressure, raw power, and elite grappling. While many fighters have crumbled under his dominance, one opponent stood out as his toughest test inside the Octagon. Surprisingly, it was not Gilbert Burns—a fighter who pushed him to the limit in a three-round war. Instead, Chimaev has named Kamaru Usman as the most difficult opponent he has ever faced.
Usman Tested Chimaev Like No One Else
Chimaev’s reputation as an unstoppable force was briefly shaken when he fought Kamaru Usman at UFC 294. Originally scheduled to face Paulo Costa, Chimaev had to adjust to a last-minute opponent switch when Usman stepped in on short notice.
Despite moving up in weight and having minimal preparation, Usman showcased elite wrestling and defensive skills, managing to stuff multiple takedown attempts and making Chimaev work harder than ever. Chimaev admitted that he struggled to finish Usman, particularly in grappling exchanges.
The hardest opponent of my career? I’d say Kamaru Usman. He defended very well against wrestling, his wrestling is pretty good. He didn’t give me his neck. I was trying to choke him for five minutes, but he defended well.
Unlike many of Chimaev’s previous opponents, Usman didn’t fold under pressure. Instead, he grew stronger as the fight went on, making it a closely contested battle. Chimaev still secured a majority decision victory, but it left many wondering how Usman would have performed with a full training camp.
What’s Next for Chimaev?
Following his dominant submission victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC 308, Chimaev is now in prime position for a title shot. UFC president Dana White is expected to announce his next fight soon, with Chimaev likely challenging middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis for the 185-pound belt.
With du Plessis fresh off a dominant win over Sean Strickland, fans are eager to see whether Chimaev’s relentless style can break the South African champion.
