MMA fighter and coach advises Khamzat Chimaev on three-division UFC champion ambitions
Khamzat Chimaev has often spoken about his three-division UFC champion goal. A prominent MMA fighter has weighed in on the same.
Khamzat Chimaev has often hinted that he'd like to become a three-division champion in the UFC. As of this time, no one has been able to achieve the feat of winning UFC titles in three separate weight divisions.
A veteran MMA fighter and longtime member of the UFC roster, who also serves as a coach, has now put forth his advice to Chimaev regarding his ambitions to become a three-division UFC titleholder.
Beneil Dariush advises Khamzat Chimaev to move up to the UFC light heavyweight division
During a recent conversation with Helen Yee on Helen Yee Sports, UFC lightweight staple Beneil Dariush addressed his camaraderie with reigning UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland. The American grappling savant lauded Strickland for his cardio and overall fighting prowess.
Strickland notably bested the then-unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev by way of split decision back in May. It saw him dethrone Chimaev to become a two-time UFC middleweight (185-pound) champion.
When asked about how he sees a potential Strickland vs. Chimaev rematch playing out, Dariush advised "Borz" to move up to the UFC light heavyweight (205-pound) division. He stated, "If I'm being honest, I think Khamzat (Chimaev) should go to 205 (pounds)."
When asked why, Dariush explained, "I think, obviously, he was complaining about the weight cut. And I think at 205 (pounds), he would do super well, too. Like, who in the 205 (pound) division is going to really give him a hard time?"
Chimaev, on his part, even competed at welterweight in the past, in addition to his catchweight fights and middleweight pursuits.
Dariush continued, "He's going to be just as big. He's not going to have an issue with size. He's going to have better cardio because his weight cut's not going to be miserable."
Beneil Dariush talks Khamzat Chimaev's three-division UFC champion goals
Khamzat Chimaev was, per his team, likely to face Jiri Prochazka in a light heavyweight matchup earlier this year. Nevertheless, a reported change in plans led to that fight being scrapped, and a bulking Chimaev instead struggled to cut down to middleweight and was outpointed by Strickland.
Beneil Dariush, on his part, alluded to Chimaev's documented struggles on the weighing scales, as well as his three-division UFC champion ambitions.
Dariush said, "And, you know, he had the '85 (pound) title. He can get the 205 (pound) title. And I know he's aiming for three belts. You know, in the future, he could be a heavyweight. I see him sparring with heavyweights all the time. And as far as for longevity and for his career, I would recommend him to go to 205 (pounds)."
Presently, Dariush has piqued fan interest with his work as a coach at Kings MMA in California. Speculation has also abounded that he could move up to welterweight soon.
Meanwhile, Chimaev has expressed interest in recapturing the UFC middleweight championship, albeit Strickland is expected to defend the 185-pound championship against Nassourdine Imavov instead.
Well, Chimaev's next freestyle wrestling match is booked, as he'll face RAF cruiserweight crossover champion Colby Covington for the RAF belt at RAF Abu Dhabi on November 14.
Watch Beneil Dariush discuss Khamzat Chimaev's three-division UFC champion mission and more below (*comments at the 9:10-minute mark of the video):
