Robert Whittaker tabs the best way Nassourdine Imavov can shock Khamzat Chimaev
During a recent episode of the MMArcade Podcast, Robert Whittaker reacted to Imavov’s performance and previewed a potential clash with Chimaev.
“I don’t know how anyone beats Khamzat at the moment,” Whittaker said. “His wrestling is so high-level. I feel like the way to beat him is with high-level jiu-jitsu.
“If Imavov has high-level back jiu-jitsu – which I know he does have high-level jiu-jitsu – but if it’s that high-level, like Gilbert Burns high-level, then maybe we’ll see something. But also, fights are funny. Anything can happen. Maybe Chimaev dives into a knee or foot.” (h/t MMA Junkie)
Chimaev has briefly struggled against high-level strikers and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu elites during his career, including welterweight Gilbert Burns. Burns handed Chimaev arguably the toughest test of his career at UFC 273, as Chimaev squeaked by with a decision victory.
While Imavov is a dynamic grappler, his striking has grown leaps and bounds since he first walked to the Octagon. Imavov’s boxing was on full-display in a stunning TKO win over Adesanya at UFC Saudi Arabia earlier this year.