Islam Makhachev vs Khamzat Chimaev Who will win?

A super skilled wrestler from Dagestan, Islam Makhachev is known for squeezing his opponents until they tap out. In the other corner, we have Khamzat Chimaev, a powerful striker from Chechnya. If a fight happens between Islam Makhachev vs Khamzat Chimaev Who will win?

They may not be blood relatives, but their stories from nearby Russian villages tell a tale of strong friendship and a shared warrior spirit.

Although they hail from different mountains, Islam and Khamzat share a special bond rooted in their faith and mutual respect for each other’s fighting skills.

Eagle of Dagestan

Picture this: Islam, the “Eagle of Dagestan,” smoothly gliding across the cage like a predator, using his relentless wrestling and overwhelming pressure that no one can escape.

Borz

Then there’s Khamzat, the “Borz” from Chechnya, a force of nature with powerful punches and lightning-fast takedowns that leave opponents dazed.

Who would come out on top in this battle of giants?

Will Islam’s smart strategy and unbeatable stamina outsmart Khamzat’s raw strength and unpredictable aggression?

Can Khamzat’s intense attacks break through Islam’s defense, or will the Eagle endure the storm and rise to victory?

One thing’s for sure: if this showdown happens, the ground will shake, and the octagon will transform into an epic battleground. It’s a clash of different styles, a test of determination, and a spectacle no fight fan should miss.

Physical comparison

Now, let’s take a look at how these two fighters match up physically.

Khamzat Chimaev has a bit of a youth advantage, being 2 and a half years younger than Islam Makhachev.

When it comes to height, Khamzat stands tall, literally, being 10 centimeters taller than Islam. Additionally, Khamzat has a reach advantage with 75 compared to Islam’s 70.

Their fighting styles add another layer to this faceoff.

Style of Fighting

Khamzat Chimaev is all about freestyle wrestling, showcasing his skills as the Swedish Freestyle Wrestling National Champion in 2016 and 2018.

On the other side, Islam Makhachev is a Sambo specialist, holding the Russian National Gold Medal in combat sambo for the years 2014 and 2016.

UFC Debut and Experience

Now, here’s an interesting fact – Islam made his UFC debut back on May 23, 2015, showing he’s been in the game for a while.

Khamzat Chimaev, on the other hand, had his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night on July 15, 2020. So, when it comes to experience, Islam Makhachev has a few more rounds under his belt compared to Khamzat Chimaev.

Let’s see how these factors might play out in the octagon!

Striking Skills

Starting with Khamzat Chimaev, his power is undeniably impressive, making him a well-rounded fighter.

One-dimensional Defense

However, his striking, although good, doesn’t necessarily stand out as exceptional. Noteworthy is his impressive power, especially demonstrated with his uppercut and quarter pivot.

Yet, he showed some vulnerabilities and sloppiness in his match against Gilbert Burns, particularly in defensive striking.

His defense tends to be one-dimensional, relying on covering up, and when he gets aggressive, his stationary posture makes his chin an easy target.

Additionally, Chimaev lacks diverse setups and combos, potentially allowing elite strikers to identify patterns. Despite these aspects, his hand speed, power, and stance-switching capabilities make him a solid striker overall.

Shifting to Islam Makhachev, in an interview, he expressed his intention to showcase his striking skills.

Evaluating his footwork, Makhachev’s forward movement is decent, occasionally blitzing forward, but he can get out of position. His backward movement, on the other hand, is effective, drawing in opponents and countering well. However, his angle changes and side-switching are limited, giving his footwork a fairly basic nature.

Timing is a mixed bag for Makhachev

while he excels in takedown setups, his timing for evading and countering strikes lacks precision.

Regarding the variety of techniques, Makhachev’s striking is relatively basic, lacking the diversity seen in some elite fighters. His distance management is better at long range, but in close quarters, he tends to rely more on his wrestling skills.

Overall Striking Ability

In summary, evaluating their striking abilities, Khamzat Chimaev showcases solid skills with KO power, but vulnerabilities in defense and setups.

On the other hand, Islam Makhachev’s striking is rated as ‘C,’ reflecting an okay performance in footwork, timing, technique variety, and distance management.

While not the top striker, Makhachev’s strength lies in his wrestling expertise, making him a formidable force in the UFC.

Wrestling Skills of Khamzat Chimaev

Takedown Defense Analysis:

Judging Khamzat Chimaev’s takedown defense presents challenges due to the lack of attempts against him in his UFC career.

Delving into his amateur fights for insights, Chimaev’s earlier years showcased some moments of vulnerability, notably against Khaled Laallam.

However, his ability to recover quickly and counter with techniques like the D’Arce choke displays a high skill level.

Ground and Pound Defense:

The scarcity of data on Chimaev’s ground and pound defense makes it challenging to draw conclusive insights. Notably, his rapid recovery and offensive response to strikes, particularly in the Burns fight, showcase his ability to nullify follow-up shots.

However, specific assessments of his grapple-boxing defense from the top position remain inconclusive.

Submission Defense:

Chimaev’s submission defense demonstrates prowess, especially against threats like guillotines and triangle setups.

Impressively shutting down skilled grapplers like Kevin Holland and Gilbert Burns showcases his ability to neutralize Jiu-Jitsu black belts.

Grappling Skills of Khamzat Chimaev

Takedown Offense Analysis:

Khamzat Chimaev’s grappling offensive is characterized by relentless pursuit and effective timing.

With an ultra-aggressive style, he frequently attempts takedowns early in fights, showcasing an array of attacks and combinations.

His proficiency in obtaining double underhooks and securing advantageous clinch positions allows for various takedown options, including trips, tosses, and level changes.

A notable aspect is the high amplitude of his takedowns, although slam TKOs are surprisingly absent from his record.

Wrestling Skills of Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev’s wrestling prowess is a crucial aspect of his fighting style that often goes unnoticed.

Deceptive approach of Islam Makhachev

Analyzing his takedowns reveals a level of sophistication that sets him apart in the octagon. Makhachev has a knack for seamlessly blending striking and wrestling, creating a deceptive approach that keeps opponents on their toes.

One key element is his clinch work, where Makhachev employs a strategic body punch to set up his takedowns.

When he goes for the body shot, opponents instinctively react by shifting their hips backward.

This seemingly minor move is integral, as it creates the opening for Makhachev to transition smoothly into his wrestling game.

The transition is swift and deliberate, showcasing his ability to read his opponent’s reactions and exploit their vulnerabilities.

Makhachev’s versatility

A notable example is Makhachev’s wizard kick technique, executed when facing opponents in the clinch.

Taking the collar tie with his left hand and delivering a body shot with the right, Makhachev leverages the opponent’s response.

As soon as the opponent drops the elbow in reaction to the body shot, Makhachev capitalizes by swiftly taking his left leg across for the wizard kick. This move seamlessly combines wrestling skills with MMA strategy, demonstrating Makhachev’s versatility.

In another instance against Nik Lentz, Makhachev showcases his clinch control by elevating his left leg in response to Lentz’s body lock. By lifting the wizard with his left arm and securing the underhook with the right, Makhachev gains the upper hand in the clinch, ultimately driving into his opponent for a successful takedown.

These examples highlight Makhachev’s ability to use clinch situations strategically, creating openings for his takedowns and keeping opponents guessing. His intricate setups, foot sweeps, and clinch control contribute significantly to his success in the wrestling aspect of MMA.

Grappling Skills of Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev’s grappling skills further solidify his dominance in the UFC, making him a force to be reckoned with in the lightweight division.

While his wrestling forms the foundation of his ground game, Makhachev’s expertise in grappling extends to various aspects, including submissions and positional control.

One of the defining features of Makhachev’s grappling arsenal is his ability to seamlessly transition from striking to ground control.

His fights often showcase a well-rounded approach, where he leverages his wrestling skills to secure advantageous positions on the ground.

Once on the mat, Makhachev excels in maintaining control and dictating the pace of the fight.

Additionally, Makhachev’s proficiency in submissions adds an extra layer of threat to his grappling game.

As a Sambo specialist and a Russian National Gold Medalist in combat sambo sports, Makhachev possesses a diverse array of submission techniques.

Whether it’s securing a dominant position and applying a choke or capitalizing on an opponent’s mistake to transition into a submission hold, Makhachev’s grappling skills are multifaceted.

In summary, Islam Makhachev’s wrestling and grappling skills go hand in hand, forming a formidable combination in his overall fighting strategy.

His ability to seamlessly blend striking with wrestling and control the ground game makes him a well-rounded and dangerous opponent in the lightweight division of the UFC.

Winner in Wrestling and Grappling

Both fighters are strong, but Islam Makhachev’s deceptive wrestling and versatile grappling give him a unique edge. It’s like he’s playing chess while fighting.However, fights are unpredictable, and anything can happen.

Cardio Comparison: Islam Makhachev vs. Khamzat Chimaev

Islam Makhachev’s Cardio: A Strategic Asset

Islam Makhachev’s cardio has emerged as a strategic asset in his fights, allowing him to maintain a high level of performance even in extended bouts.

Notably, he showcased his endurance in a grueling five-round battle with Alexander Volkanovski, who is renowned for his exceptional cardio. The Nelk Boys, in their YouTube channel, provided insights into Islam’s cardio workouts and training routine, emphasizing its intensity.

Makhachev’s efficient movement is a key contributor to his impressive cardio. Avoiding flashy and wasteful movements, he adopts a calculated and precise approach to attacks.

This strategy minimizes energy expenditure while maximizing the impact of his strikes.

Despite some comparisons to his teammate and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev’s cardio stands as undeniably impressive, making him a formidable force in longer fights.

Khamzat Chimaev’s Cardio Challenges: Room for Improvement

In contrast, Khamzat Chimaev faces challenges in the cardio department when compared to Islam Makhachev.

In a recent bout against Kumaru Usman, Khamzat’s cardio deficiencies became evident. Showing signs of fatigue as early as round one, he struggled through rounds two and three but eventually secured the victory.

While Khamzat managed to win the fight, the noticeable fatigue raises concerns about his readiness for extended five-round contests.

In direct comparison to Islam Makhachev, Khamzat has room for improvement in terms of cardio.

Enhancing his endurance will be crucial for Khamzat to compete at the same sustained level as his opponents, especially against fighters with Makhachev’s proven stamina.

Cardio Summary

In conclusion, Islam Makhachev’s cardio serves as a well-established asset, providing him with a significant advantage in longer fights. On the other hand, Khamzat Chimaev must focus on improving his endurance to bridge the gap and compete more effectively in extended contests.

Power Comparison: Islam Makhachev vs. Khamzat Chimaev

Islam Makhachev’s Tactical Power

Islam Makhachev’s power was often underestimated until his notable fight against Alexander Volkanovski II.

Rather than unleashing his full intensity, Makhachev strategically used his power to plant a seed of concern in Volkanovski’s mind.

By conditioning Volkanovski to perceive consistent wrestling threats, Makhachev successfully shifted the focus of the fight. This tactical approach was evident when he pointed out Volkanovski’s excessive strength usage in the clinch, leading to a successful knockout.

While not possessing natural one-punch knockout power, Makhachev’s strategic use of power can cause significant damage, as seen in his knockout victory over Bobby Green.

Khamzat Chimaev’s Explosive Power

Khamzat Chimaev’s power is showcased through explosive moments in his fights.

In his third UFC bout, he delivered a one-punch knockout against Gerald Meerschaert, highlighting his ability to finish fights.

His exceptional power was further demonstrated when he lifted his opponent, Li Jingliang, and conveyed a fearless message to Dana White. Chimaev’s lunatic vibe, combined with his undeniable skills, instills fear in opponents, making him a dangerous force in the octagon.

With six knockout victories in 13 fights, Chimaev’s power is a consistent threat that adds to the fear factor for elite opponents. His aggressive and relentless style, coupled with raw power, positions him as a formidable presence in the UFC.

In the power comparison, Chimaev’s approach leans more towards explosiveness and intimidation, while Makhachev’s strategic use of power reflects a mastermind’s calculated approach in the octagon.

Chin Comparison

Islam Makhachev’s Chin: Evolving Strength

Islam Makhachev faced a setback early in his UFC journey when he was knocked out by Adriano Martins in his second fight. It’s remarkable to see how much fighters like Islam can improve, even when they are already among the best globally.

Since that early defeat, Islam’s chin hasn’t faced a serious test, and he has evolved into a more resilient and skilled fighter.

Khamzat Chimaev’s Durable Chin: Facing Strikes and Securing Victory

Khamzat Chimaev, in contrast, has encountered formidable opponent Gilbert Burns, absorbing numerous strikes while still emerging victorious.

Notably, Khamzat has never been knocked out in his entire career.

While it might be premature to conclusively state that Khamzat possesses a superior chin compared to Islam Makhachev, examining the statistics suggests that Khamzat’s chin might be slightly more robust.

In simpler terms, both fighters have shown resilience, with Islam strengthening his chin after an early setback, and Khamzat demonstrating durability by absorbing strikes without being knocked out.

The comparison leans slightly towards Khamzat having a sturdier chin based on the available data.