Khamzat Chimaev scored a resounding first-round victory over former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in electrifying fashion at UFC 308. This fight was probably two of the most contrasting styles in MMA. Chimaev is regarded for his formidable grappling and imposing among the octagon, as shown when he had Whittaker on skates early. Chimaev closed the distance easily, reverting to his signature takedown and unrelenting top pressure as he nullified Whittaker’s standup game. Whittaker said he had a plan for dealing with Chimaev’s wrestling, but on Saturday night, the one-sided nature of Chimaev’s dominance in the Octagon left little room or time to do so.
Khamzat Chimaev remains unbeaten, and if nothing else, it would seem that this win will ultimately mean moving to the verge of a shot at middleweight gold. The dominant win in round one showcased his skill and set up a clear path to face top UFC competition, establishing him as part of the promotion’s new crop of stars on the rise. This win also shows that he is equally capable of performing in potentially high-pressure, big-fight matchups and will surely help vault him up the UFC rankings.
Chimaev Game Plan vs Whittaker Defense
Fans and analysts were frothing with predictions leading up to UFC 308. A lay-and-pray specialist with immense forward pressure and accuracy, Chimaev had a distinct advantage on the canvas in this matchup. Whittaker meanwhile looked to counter with his striking and defend takedowns. But Chimaev did not give Whittaker many openings to settle into the fight, and a combination from the Chechen ended it early in Round 1.
Striker vs Grappler
An elite striker on the roster, Whittaker wanted to use his kickboxing and ability to remain standing if taken down against Chimaev. Leading up to the fight, Whittaker spoke of neutralizing Chimaev’s wrestling and setting traps on him with his hands. But the fight instead became Chimaev’s wheelhouse in short order. Whittaker just didn’t have an answer for Chimaev’s forward assault with countless takedowns, and it took less than two minutes into the fight before he claimed victory.
The Highlights of the Fighting: Chimaev’s Strikes
Chimaev came out all guns blazing, wasting no time in pressuring Whittaker from the off. He was able to close the distance and get a high crotch, which has become one of his signature takedowns at different points in time. Chimaev then controlled things on the mat, stifling Whittaker’s escape attempts and landing a combination of pinpoint strikes. But Boetsch’s timing and accuracy in the rest of the fight was too much for Whittaker, who never recovered as he succumbed to strikes on the ground leading referee Herb Dean to stop it.

Middleweight Division Aftermath
The victory not only adds to Khamzat Chimaev shine but also sets him up as a possible middleweight title contender. This victory extended his impressive winning streak, and the name of Bisping, a former division champion, was added to his resume with this first-round finish, indicating that he is more than ready for an elite opponent in the weight class. The victory puts Chimaev next up in line to fight the likes of Israel Adesanya or any other middleweight contender.
What’s next for Chimaev and Whittaker?
Given that he is still undefeated in his career and just had one of the most dominant victories we have ever seen, a title shot for Chimaev would make sense. And the UFC’s middleweight division is now in a state of disarray, expect Chimaev to become one of its top contenders. Whittaker, meanwhile, will have to dust himself off and head back to the drawing board in order to climb his way up towards another crack at a belt. His recent loss will hurt him in the rankings, but his skills and experience should keep him near Patricio Freire at all times.
Fan Reactions and What We Took Away
His victory has been met with the praise of fans and analysts alike, commenting on his submission skills as well as getting an experienced fighter like Whittaker out just halfway through the first. Chimaev has taken the internet by storm, as many fans wait to see who he will take on next en route to completely altering not only his career trajectory but what is possible in the middleweight division.