Robert Whittaker isn’t convinced that any of the current middleweight contenders have what it takes to dethrone Khamzat Chimaev.
The race for the next title shot at 185 pounds has intensified ever since Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) captured the belt from Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 last month.
Reinier de Ridder (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) and Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) both entered the conversation with recent victories over Whittaker and Roman Dolidze, respectively. The two are now scheduled to meet in a pivotal matchup at UFC Vancouver on October 18.
Also in contention is Nassourdine Imavov (17-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who defeated Caio Borralho in the main event at UFC Paris last Saturday before calling for a title shot against Chimaev in his post-fight interview.
While the race for the next challenger remains wide open, Whittaker—who was submitted by Chimaev in October of last year—remains doubtful that any of the contenders possess the grappling skills needed to truly threaten the champion.
"I don't know how anyone beats Khamzat at the moment," Whittaker said this week on his MMArcade Podcast. "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."
Imavov extended his winning streak to five with Saturday’s victory over Borralho, but given the calculated nature of his performance, Whittaker isn’t convinced it will be enough to elevate him above his rivals in the race for the next title shot.
"I don't think that fight cemented that fight (against Chimaev) for him," Whittaker said of Imavov. "I think it definitely put him in the running, but that's what it is. It's a running now. I think RDR and 'Fluffy' are going to punch on, and if they do something exceptional, they will jump the queue, I think."
