The Khamzat Era Begins: What’s Next for the New UFC Middleweight Champion?
Khamzat Chimaev’s dominant performance against Dricus du Plessis has left the MMA world asking one burning question: Can anyone stop this man?
The wait is finally over. After years of speculation and anticipation, Khamzat Chimaev has reached the summit of the UFC middleweight division, delivering a performance so dominant that fans and experts are already debating whether we’ve witnessed the birth of the next great champion.
A Masterclass in Dominance
Saturday’s UFC 319 main event wasn’t just a title fight—it was a statement. Chimaev didn’t just beat the previously undefeated Dricus du Plessis; he ragdolled him for five straight rounds in a display of grappling supremacy that left even the most seasoned MMA observers stunned.
“It was perfect. He lived up to the hype,” said Ringside Report’s Dave Simon during their post-fight analysis. “We’ve been waiting to see if Khamzat could do it for a while, since before Dricus was champion. Dricus had a nice run, but Khamzat completely dominated him on Saturday.”
The numbers tell the story: 25 minutes of near-flawless wrestling control, minimal damage taken, and a championship performance that silenced any remaining doubters about Chimaev’s elite-level cardio. The Chechen-born Swede showcased the kind of conditioning that had previously been questioned, maintaining his relentless pace throughout the entire championship distance.
The Grappling Clinic That Divided Fans
While grappling enthusiasts celebrated Chimaev’s technical masterpiece, the performance split the audience. Boos could be heard throughout the arena as some fans grew restless with the ground-heavy approach—a reaction that’s becoming all too familiar in modern MMA.
Grappling fans such as ourselves, we love that performance,” noted analyst Fred Garcia. “There was a lot of boos, and there were a lot of people online complaining that the fight was boring. And I think those people were wrong. It was pretty much flawless.”
The comparison to Georges St-Pierre’s championship reign is already being drawn. Like GSP before him, Chimaev stuck to his game plan, executed it perfectly, and dominated through superior grappling—even if it meant sacrificing the instant gratification of a spectacular finish.
The Cruel Crucifix
Perhaps the most telling moment came when Chimaev secured the crucifix position—a dominant grappling hold that left the powerful du Plessis completely helpless. Even in BJJ academies across the country, instructors were already incorporating “Khamzat stuff” into their classes the very next day.
That’s the most frightening thing,” observed AJ D’Alesio. “People don’t realize when your whole body is completely useless. Dricus is so big and jacked, man. He’s a UFC middleweight champion, and he was just ragdolled.”
The visual was stark: a champion known for his physicality and power, rendered completely ineffective by Chimaev’s technical superiority and relentless pressure.
What’s Next for the New King?
With the belt now secured, the question becomes who can challenge Chimaev’s reign. Several contenders are emerging through upcoming fights:
September 6th in Paris: Caio Borralho vs. Nassourdine Imavov will determine one potential challenger, with both fighters looking to establish themselves as legitimate threats to the new champion.
October 18th in Vancouver: Robert Whittaker vs. Anthony Hernandez represents another pathway to a title shot, though questions remain about the timeline for any of these fighters to be ready.
The consensus among analysts is troubling for the division’s depth: Chimaev appears to be a massive favorite against any potential challenger. His dominant victories over both Whittaker (a former champion) and now du Plessis suggest a level of superiority that could define the division for years to come.
The Strickland Situation
Circumstances have complicated one intriguing option. Sean Strickland, despite coming off a loss to du Plessis, would represent the biggest name-value opponent for Chimaev’s first title defense. However, Strickland’s six-month suspension following recent incidents means he won’t be available until early 2025.
“If he wasn’t suspended, I think that would be the fight to make,” Simon noted. “Even though Strickland’s coming off a decision loss to Dricus, I think because of the name value… there’s a limit to how long he’s gonna be around for. Capitalize on the name value right now.”
Building a Star
The UFC appears to have found its next potential superstar in Chimaev. His combination of undefeated record, dominant fighting style, charismatic personality, and compelling backstory creates the perfect storm for mainstream appeal.
“He’s got a fun accent, but his English is good. People like that, like Conor McGregor,” Simon pointed out. “He’s got a cool name. He’s got a gimmick. He’s got an evil face. He’s got a lot of things that MMA fans like. And he’s undefeated.”
The only potential obstacles to Chimaev’s rise are the same ones that have slowed his progress to this point: activity levels and weight cut issues. If the new champion can maintain a schedule of two fights per year and continue making weight consistently, the middleweight division could be looking at a long and dominant reign.
The GSP Comparison
Perhaps the most telling comparison comes from the fanbase reaction. Just as Georges St-Pierre faced criticism for his “boring” fighting style despite becoming one of the UFC’s biggest draws, Chimaev’s methodical dominance may not please every casual fan but represents the highest level of mixed martial arts.
“People kept showing up to his fights. People kept buying the pay-per-views,” Garcia noted about GSP’s legacy. “He was one of the biggest draws in the history of the UFC, despite the criticism.”
Looking Ahead
As Chimaev settles into his role as champion, the UFC faces an interesting challenge: how to build compelling title defenses around a fighter who appears to be several levels above his competition. The upcoming contender fights will be crucial in determining not just who challenges Chimaev next, but whether anyone in the current middleweight landscape can provide the kind of threat necessary to create must-see television.
For now, the MMA world is witnessing the beginning of what could be a truly special championship reign. Whether you appreciate the technical artistry of his grappling or prefer knockouts and fireworks, one thing is undeniable: Khamzat Chimaev has arrived as champion, and he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
The Khamzat era has officially begun. The only question remaining is how long it will last.
UFC Shanghai: Early Morning Fights, Big Betting Opportunities
Speaking of what’s next, this weekend brings UFC’s return to China with UFC Shanghai, featuring an early morning start time that has the Ringside Report crew making some bold predictions for Saturday’s 6 AM main card.
The Main Event: Walker vs. Zhang Mingyang
Johnny Walker (+255) vs. Zhang Mingyang (-350)
The hosts are split on the main event, with contrasting views on Walker’s trajectory and Zhang’s home advantage.
Dave Simon’s Take: “I think Johnny Walker wins. I think you’re getting off the train a little bit too early. I think that this guy, Zhang Mingyang, is in over his head and he’s going to find out Saturday morning.”
Simon believes Walker’s experience against elite competition like Volkan Oezdemir and Magomed Ankalaev gives him the edge, despite recent losses. At 33, he sees this as a make-or-break moment where Walker delivers.
AJ D’Alesio’s Counter: “There’s a reason why he’s headlining this, Zhang. They expect him to win. He’s going to win in front of his crowd. He’s going to have that whole time zone, everything that you need to be fighting in China.”
D’Alesio points to Walker’s travel issues and declining performance since his infamous “superworm” celebration, arguing that the Brazilian’s career has been trending downward while Zhang (19-6, 4-0 UFC) represents the future.
The Real Main Event: Sterling vs. Ortega
Aljamain Sterling (-300) vs. Brian Ortega (+225)
Scheduled initially at featherweight but moved to a 153-pound catchweight due to Ortega’s weight cut complications, this five-round co-main is where the real excitement lies.
Fred Garcia’s Underdog Special: “I’m going to go for the underdog. I’m going to try to take a chance on Ortega. He’s got some size, like Sterling. I think he’s taller. He’s got some reach. I think it could be an interesting fight.”
AJ D’Alesio’s Reality Check: “Sterling is on a run. This guy enters the UFC with a 24-5 record. He’s 16-5 in the UFC. When you look at the stats, you see what he’s done. We often overlook Sterling. And the guy always keeps winning.”
D’Alesio acknowledges Ortega’s early UFC promise but notes his recent struggles, including an unimpressive performance against Diego Lopes. He sees Sterling’s well-rounded game and consistent performance as too much for Ortega to overcome.
Dave Simon’s Analysis: “I think Aljo wins because Ortega didn’t look great against Diego Lopes there in that last one. I wasn’t particularly happy with his performance. And Aljo’s coming off a loss too to Movsar. But Movsar is undefeated, and he’s terrific.”
The Heavyweight Clash: Pavlovich vs. Acosta
Sergei Pavlovich (-260) vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (+195)
This bout represents a classic veteran vs. rising prospect matchup.
Fred Garcia’s Confidence: “I think Pavlovich is a better fighter than Acosta, man. He’s so big, strong, Pavlovich-like him.”
Garcia points to Pavlovich’s impressive resume, noting that his recent losses came to elite competition like Tom Aspinall and Alexander Volkov. At the same time, his victory over Jairzinho Rozenstruik showed he’s still a force.
AJ D’Alesio’s Upset Pick: “I’ve seen him fight. And I’ve seen a lot of hype surrounding Sergei when he first came out. But then I was like, oh, he’s questionable when he gets hit.”
D’Alesio likes Acosta’s 14-1 record and 8-1 UFC mark, believing the younger fighter’s durability and striking defense could be problematic for Pavlovich.
The Betting Parlays: Big Risk, Bigger Rewards
The hosts revealed their parlay picks, showing varying levels of risk tolerance:
Dave Simon’s “Safe” Play ($20 to win $49.50):
- Sergei Pavlovich (-260)
- Aljamain Sterling (-300)
- Michel Pereira (-280) vs. Kyle Daukaus
Simon’s reasoning: “Team Dave Parlay won last week. My parlay last week was a winner with Khamzat, Prelims, and MVP. They all won.”
Fred Garcia’s High-Risk Special ($20 to win $319.50):
- Sergei Pavlovich (-260)
- Brian Ortega (+225)
- Johnny Walker (+255)
Garcia’s going big with two significant underdogs, believing the value is too good to pass up on Ortega and Walker.
AJ D’Alesio’s Contrarian Approach ($20 to win $101):
- Zhang Mingyang (-350)
- Aljamain Sterling (-300)
- Waldo Cortes-Acosta (+195)
D’Alesio’s keeping it to three fights but taking Zhang and Acosta as his upset specials, banking on home advantage and youth over experience.
Sleeper Pick: Lone’er Kavanagh
AJ also highlighted an intriguing undercard prospect: “I like that kid, Lone’er Kavanagh, in the prelim. 9-0. I’ve seen this guy before. He’s young. He’s 26 years old. If you wanted to take a shot just on a single bet, put it on Lone’er. Fascinating kid.”
The Early Morning Challenge
With fights starting at 3 AM for prelims and 6 AM for the main card (Eastern Time), the hosts acknowledged the unique viewing experience ahead.
“You’re baking an egg and watching some UFC. You can sit on your balcony with your coffee there in your bathrobe,” joked D’Alesio about the unusual breakfast-time fight schedule.
The early start time adds another variable to consider for both fighters and bettors, as jet lag and adjustment to the Chinese time zone could play a factor in performance.
