Contemplating the crux of every fighter’s recreation, successful the wrestling will stay paramount for each events.
Wrestling because the age of 5, Chimaev has seemingly tailored to the grappling arts like second nature. From a lightning-fast shot to unimaginable wherewithal inside the clinch, Chimaev appears to have all of it from a wrestling perspective.
The 29-year-old shows numerous the freestyle (and even Greco) seems to be that you’d affiliate together with his a part of the world, but additionally demonstrates numerous the positional rides that historically come simpler to American folkstyle wrestlers. And when Chimaev took the again of Li Jingliang at UFC 267, the Chechen fighter confirmed off some very competent jiu-jitsu to shut to indicate by way of rear-naked choke.
Rewatching Khamzat Chimaev’s first beginner MMA battle and completely forgot in regards to the makeshift playpen full of kids cage-side who ended up getting a entrance row seat for this end (*notice the youngest woman cheering): pic.twitter.com/2XT9d0IWul
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) October 1, 2020
From early in his regional profession to his newer battle with Gilbert Burns, Chimaev has proven stable submission and wrestling protection in a number of eventualities. Whether or not somebody is in search of Chimaev’s legs or making an attempt to re-guard, the product from the Allstars Coaching Heart usually offers his opposition little or no to work with – all whereas staying busy with offense of his personal.
That mentioned, I’m unsure how a lot Usman shall be taking pictures on Chimaev given the dearth of preparation that 11 days discover presents.
Usman does, nevertheless, provide rock-solid takedown protection and artful clinch techniques that Chimaev will want to pay attention to.
Say no extra fam https://t.co/Jzm3uPqRvz pic.twitter.com/b7hrAOxnRF
— Miguel Class (@MigClass) March 14, 2023
From hips which might be hardwired to sprawl on the drop of a dime to sneaky clinch tie-ups that contain Jon Jones-like wrist feeds, Usman has all of the on-paper instruments to probably stymie a big a part of Chimaev’s efforts.
And if Usman is ready to find yourself on high in a scramble, he bears a powerful intelligence in transition that might assist him on this matchup.
Demonstrating wonderful positional consciousness, Usman at all times appears to make high-percentage selections whether or not he’s passing or punching. Utilizing suffocating wrestling rides that stymie every part from posts to submission makes an attempt, Usman will seamlessly hit his transitions whereas steaming his opposition beneath him.
That mentioned, Chimaev doesn’t seem like somebody who will accept the underside simply.
