Daniel Cormier believes Khamzat Chimaev may be physically ready to make a full-time move to the UFC’s light heavyweight division following recent sparring footage that has circulated online.
Speaking on his YouTube channel this week, Cormier reacted to clips of the reigning UFC middleweight champion training with light heavyweight contender Khalil Rountree Jr. and former 205-pound titleholder Luke Rockhold. The footage has intensified speculation that Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) (who began his UFC run at welterweight) could eventually move up to 205 pounds to challenge current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
Cormier admitted he previously had doubts about Chimaev’s ability to compete with naturally larger fighters at light heavyweight.
“I thought that if Khamzat was to fight at 205 (pounds), he would be running up against guys that would be just too big for him. And at some point, that has to become an issue,” Cormier said. “Then I saw a video of him sparring with Khalil Rountree. His back looked massive. He looks like a 205-pound fighter already.”
Cormier pointed specifically to Chimaev’s physical presence alongside Rockhold, who stands 6-foot-4 and currently weighs around 227 pounds.
“I’m not talking about the skill level of Rockhold today. I’m talking about the size of Rockhold today. Khamzat Chimaev looks just as big, if not bigger,” Cormier said.
Beyond size, Cormier was struck by what he saw in the striking exchanges.
“When you watch the videos, you watch the sparring. You watch him and Khalil Rountree striking. Striking. And if they’re not drilling (I’m not an untrained eye) it looks to me like Khamzat is winning the striking. Khalil Rountree, who is an amazing striker!”
Cormier added that Chimaev appeared to be matching Rockhold’s power on the pads.
“I’m watching him kick with Luke, and he’s kicking with the same power as Luke. I gotta be honest, guys. I don’t know that this kid could not fight at 205 pounds. I really do believe that he’s able to fight in this weight class.”
Drawing from personal experience, Cormier recalled feeling Chimaev’s strength firsthand.
“When he picked me up in Chicago, I felt he was stronger than he was when he was fighting at 170. There’s a video of him and I grappling way back in Abu Dhabi back in the day. Then, when he picked me up in Chicago, I felt he was stronger.”
After reviewing the recent training footage, Cormier’s stance appears to have shifted.
“Watching him next to these big guys now, I am really starting to believe that he can fight at 205.”
