by UFC commentator Joe Rogan has confirmed that he believes Khamzat Chimaev deserves a title shot.
Chimaev brutally defeated former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 on Saturday.
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The pair’s fight didn’t even make it to the second round, as Chimaev grabbed Whittaker by the throat and defeated him with a rear naked choke 90 seconds before the end of the first round.
Whittaker suffered a brutal jaw injury after Chimaev made a nasty look at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
A grotesque image of “The Reaper’s” teeth circulated on social media after the fight after UFC commentator Daniel Cormier shared the image during the live broadcast.
“Borz” made just his eighth Octagon appearance for Dana White’s rise, but MMA fans are already debating whether he is worthy of a title shot.
“Once he gets to you, it’s so dangerous,” Rogan said during his Fight Companion podcast in response to Chimaev’s win.
“He gets a chance for the title – I think that’s what you have to do. Not only that [submitting Whittaker]but run through it. He wasn’t touched, he ran through him and strangled him in the first round.
“He could be the guy. At 185, think about it [pounds]. This guy killed himself to get to 170 [pounds]At 85 he’s the damn man, kind of crazy.”
Chimaev debuted in the UFC as a middleweight, submitting John Phillips at a Fight Night event in July 2020.
He bounced back and forth between middleweight and welterweight before finally settling at 185 pounds after his convincing win over Kamaru Usman.
The 30-year-old Chechen native received the victory via majority decision and looked incredibly impressive against the former welterweight world champion, who had previously lost back-to-back title fights to Birmingham’s Leon Edwards.
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Chimaev looked even more special in his dominant win over Whittaker.
Dricus Du Plessis is the current UFC middleweight champion and Bo Nickal remains a hot contender in the division.
Rogan was asked how Chimaev would fare against either fighter and he had no doubts about his answer.
“His stand-up is more advanced than Bo’s. His stand up is very dangerous,” Rogan added.
“Khamzat is very good for the feet, very good for the feet – not that Bo is bad for the feet – but Bo needs more spice.” He hasn’t had a real war yet, [whereas] Khamzat witnessed the fight against Gilbert Burns.
“The [Whittaker victory] is crazy though. That was super, super impressive. This guy is a creepy idiot, creepy. This wrestling is next level. He’s a beast.”
You Plessis revealed on Wednesday that he would prefer a fight with Chimaev over No. 1 middleweight Sean Strickland.
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The pair fought at UFC 297 in January and Du Plessis was awarded the win via split decision after five rounds.
However, UFC President White has revealed that Strickland will be the South African’s next opponent and the fight is expected to take place in early 2025.
