Khamzat Chimaev is in for the biggest test of his career so far when he fights for middleweight supremacy.
His title fight against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 will show whether he is world champion material, after amassing an impressive undefeated record in the company with eight wins, six of which were finished inside the distance.
Training with lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan, ‘Borz’ has focused on his cardio for his upcoming camp because of the belief he will struggle in the later rounds against the South African.
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‘The Wolf’ has found himself training in different gyms, including the JAXXON gym, where Rampage Jackson hosts a podcast with fighters from across combat sports.
‘He’s a beast’ – Rampage Jackson reveals who Khamzat Chimaev reminds him of in training
A former UFC light heavyweight champion, he has mixed it up with some of the best in the organisation, including Jon Jones.
Speaking to The Schmo, Jackson spoke on watching the wrestler train in the facility ahead of the UFC 319 title fight.
He said: “Khamzat is a beast man, I saw him for a couple of seconds over there, man. He was murking people.”
He also praised Tsarukyan for being a ‘beast’ in the gym, but made a point to talk about the incredible training of the Chechen.
After experiencing the best the sport has to offer, he was asked whether any fighter he had faced reminded him of Chimaev, and he provided an interesting response.
“No, he does not. No, he’s a different animal,” he said.
“But his work ethic reminds me of, Michael Bisping, though. Michael Bisping was always an animal in the gym. That’s why I love training with that kid.”
Dricus Du Plessis provides a cold response to a potential Reinier de Ridder fight
He will hope to bring the high standards set in training to his championship fight with Du Plessis, who has a list of contenders ready and waiting if he can retain his coveted belt.
A name that has attempted to stake his claim at middleweight is Reinier de Ridder, after his razor-close decision win over Robert Whittaker, which split UFC fans.
‘The Dutch King’, now ranked fifth in the division, will be looking closely at this fight, especially as he has trained with the middleweight king himself.
‘Stillknocks’ was asked by Ariel Helwani if he would be okay fighting Reinier given their relationship.
He said: “No, not at all. I would fight my brother for my title if I have to. I would try to kill him. I promise you that. And he’s my best friend.
“No, when we get in there, there are no friends. There are no relationships in a fight.”
A decision on the next fighter to challenge for the title still awaits, depending on the result of Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho.