The undefeated UFC star Khamzat Chimaev is set for a long-awaited return to the Octagon as he takes on the ex-champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 on October 26. Ahead of the match, there have been doubts over whether Khamzat is truly match-ready or whether his previous unhealthily intense training routine will lead to another drop-out. However, in a new video that has gone viral on social media, “Borz” looks sharp and in top form as he wrestles down Razambek Zhamalovwho won Olympic gold in freestyle wrestling earlier this year!
khamzat doing this to gold medalist wrestler and ppl still thinks whittaker can do shit 😭?pic.twitter.com/8wcRXX9f01
— a.m.f (@abfmma1_) October 15, 2024
– Has trained with a famous freestyle wrestler, the newly crowned Olympic champion Razambek Zhamalov, Khamzat wrote on Instagram. A lot can be learned from such a champion and the huge experience that he has and that his coaches Adam Saytiev and Musa Saidulbatalov have invested in him. Razambek is a very smart, spectacular and strong fighter who has shown us some techniques that are sure to help both of us.
The video above doesn’t bode well for Whittaker, but of note is that Zhamalov competes in the 74-pound class, while Khamzat has moved up to the UFC’s middleweight division where fighters weigh in at 84kg. Whittaker is also a strong wrestler who, among other things, managed to become national champion in Australia. However, whether he can handle Khamzat’s explosive wrestling remains to be seen.
The meeting with Whittaker will be Khamzat’s toughest test to date and his first ranked middleweight opponent. A longer period of inactivity has resulted in fans becoming critical of Khamzat in recent times. However, with a dominant win over Whittaker – widely regarded as one of the best middleweights ever – all would be forgiven and a title shot against Dricus du Plessis next time cannot be ruled out!
