One former fighter is worried about what a Khamzat Chimaev victory at UFC 319 would mean for the middleweight division.
Chimaev’s first UFC title shot is fast approaching, as the undefeated phenom looks to have the 185-pound championship wrapped around his waist in Chicago on August 16 at the expense of Dricus du Plessis.
The opportunity has been a long time coming for ‘Borz’. While a trio of wins inside his first three months in the promotion left many predicting a quick rise to title glory, frequent health problems and weight issues have delayed Chimaev’s ascent.
The memory of past withdrawals has remained prominent for some, and one UFC fighter is so pessimistic about the Chechen’s ability to fight regularly that he fears for the middleweight division’s future should he become its champion at UFC 319.
Din Thomas explains why Khamzat Chimaev becoming champion would be a ‘disaster’ for the UFC
During a recent appearance on The Bohnfire podcast with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, former UFC lightweight contender Din Thomas looked ahead to the promotion’s next title fight.
Many are backing ‘Borz’ to end the South African champion’s undefeated run inside the Octagon. In fact, Caio Borralho thinks Chimaev could destroy Du Plessis as quickly as he did Robert Whittaker in Abu Dhabi last year.
If that does come to fruition, Thomas worries for the middleweight division, given Chimaev’s history of UFC pullouts.
“I’mma keep it one hundred with you,” Thomas began. “If Khamzat wins, it’s a disaster, actually.
“You can’t tell me that a part of you is thinking, ‘This fight actually might not happen.’ … Some of these guys are just habitual in terms of not making it to the dance.
“If he does show up and he does win, do we trust him to be able to fight again?” Thomas continued. “We need movement. I hate when it’s just static and there’s no movement in these divisions. In order for there to be movement…the champions have to fight.
“If you’re a champion and you’re not willing to fight regularly…it’s bad for the division, it’s bad for the sport.”
Dricus du Plessis expects to save the UFC from that potential issue
Fortunately for Thomas and his fears over the division’s future, the current middleweight king has no intention of giving up his place on the throne.
Du Plessis sent Chimaev an ominous warning on social media months before their August 16 showdown, promising to put him through a difficult experience that he has yet to face inside the Octagon.
“I don’t care how good you think you are, how tough, how fit, or how strong,” Du Plessis wrote on Instagram.
“When you step into that octagon with me, it will be a first-time experience and not a pleasant one.
“That’s a promise. As we say in 🇿🇦 built different!! #stillknocks #preparetobeamazed.”