UFC commentator Joe Rogan has confirmed he believes Khamzat Chimaev deserves a title shot.
Chimaev brutally submitted former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 on Saturday.
Chimaev submitted Whittaker in the first round of UFC 308’s co-main eventGetty
The pair’s bout didn’t even enter the second round, as Chimaev got a hold of Whittaker’s neck and submitted him with a rear naked choke with 90 seconds left in round one.
Whittaker suffered a brutal jaw injury following Chimaev’s nasty face crank at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
A grotesque image of ‘The Reaper’s’ teeth circulated social media in the aftermath of the bout, after UFC commentator Daniel Cormier shared the picture during the live broadcast.
‘Borz’ was only making his eighth octagon appearance for Dana White’s promotion, but MMA fans are already debating his worthiness for a title match.
“Once he gets a hold of you, it’s so dangerous,” Rogan said during his Fight Companion podcast, reacting to Chimaev’s victory.
“He gets a title shot – I think you have to. Not just that [submitting Whittaker], but run through him. He didn’t get touched, he ran through him and he strangled him in the first round.
“He might be the guy. Think about this at 185 [pounds]. This guy was killing himself to get to 170 [pounds], at 85 he’s the f****** man, kind of crazy.”
Chimaev debuted in the UFC as a middleweight, submitting John Phillips at a Fight Night event in July 2020.
He has been back and forth between the middleweight and welterweight divisions, before finally settling at 185lbs following his convincing victory over Kamaru Usman.
The 30-year-old Chechnya native was awarded the win via majority decision and looked incredibly impressive against the former welterweight champion, who has previously lost consecutive title bouts to Birmingham’s Leon Edwards.
Chimaev looked in prime shape ahead of his UFC 308 boutGetty
Chimaev looked even more extraordinary in his dominant victory over Whittaker.
Dricus Du Plessis is the current UFC middleweight champion and Bo Nickal remains a hot prospect in the division.
Rogan was asked about how Chimaev would get on against either fighter and he had no doubt with his response.
“His stand up is more advanced than Bo’s. His stand up is very dangerous,” Rogan added.
“Khamzat’s very good on the feet, very good on the feet – not that Bo’s bad on the feet – but Bo needs more seasoning. He hasn’t had a real war yet, [whereas] Khamzat’s been through the Gilbert Burns fight.
“This [Whittaker victory] is crazy though. That was super, super impressive. That guy is a scary a** m***********, scary. That grappling is next level. He’s a beast.”
Du Plessis revealed on Wednesday that he would prefer a fight with Chimaev over No.1 ranked middleweight Sean Strickland.
Du Plessis is the man to beat at 185lbsGetty
The pair fought in January at UFC 297 and Du Plessis was awarded the victory via split-decision after five rounds.
However, UFC President White has revealed that Strickland will be the South African’s next opponent with the bout likely to take place in early 2025.
