Khamzat Chimaev actually ought to face Bo Nickal moderately than preventing for the UFC middleweight title, no less than based on one UFC former contender. Chael Sonnen, former UFC contender and present MMA analyst, has sparked debate by advocating for a blockbuster matchup between rising star Bo Nickal and UFC middleweight juggernaut Khamzat Chimaev. Whereas Sonnen’s enthusiasm for the combat is palpable, many followers and analysts imagine that Nickal remains to be far behind Chimaev when it comes to expertise and ability.
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Bo Nickal
Bo Nickal versus Khamzat Chimaev,” Sonnen stated in a current interview. “There is nothing I enjoy speaking about more than what would happen with Bo and Khamzat. And I don’t just want to talk about the fight or three rounds versus five rounds.”
“I want the specifics,” Sonnen continued, “Who’s going to go for the takedown, and who’s going to get the other one. Are they going to go for a double leg? Is it going to be over-under? I like that entire argument. Which one is going to get tired first? Which one is going to try the takedown first? Everything about Bo versus Khamzat is exciting for me. Somebody’s ‘O’ has got to go—that line never stopped working in sports.”
The matchup, as Sonnen frames it, would pit two undefeated middleweights with elite wrestling pedigrees towards one another in a extremely technical grappling battle. Nevertheless, critics level out that Nickal, who transitioned to MMA in 2022, remains to be creating his general skillset. Regardless of his speedy ascent and prime rating within the UFC middleweight division, Nickal’s stage of opposition has not approached the caliber of Chimaev’s. Though, the US-born athlete does come from a storied collegiate wrestling profession.
Khamzat Chimaev has constructed a status as some of the dominant and well-rounded fighters within the division. He’s extensively seen as subsequent in line for a middleweight title shot. The UFC’s middleweight championship image will seemingly turn into clearer as soon as reigning champion Dricus du Plessis defends his belt towards former titleholder Sean Strickland in an anticipated conflict later this yr.
Whereas Sonnen’s pleasure over the hypothetical combat is contagious, many within the MMA neighborhood argue that the timing isn’t proper. With Chimaev already on the cusp of title rivalry, pitting him towards the still-rising Nickal might stall the momentum of one of many UFC’s most marketable stars.
For now, Sonnen’s proposed showdown stays a tantalizing “what if” state of affairs. However as each fighters proceed to climb the ranks of the middleweight division, the potential of a future conflict might not be as far-fetched because it appears.
