Joe Rogan commented that Khamzat Chimaev has not yet faced opponents with high-level wrestling skills. The statement highlights a perceived gap in Chimaev's resume despite his dominant performances. Rogan's observation suggests that Chimaev's grappling ability has not been truly tested against elite wrestlers. The post prompts readers to vote on whether Rogan is correct or whether Chimaev will continue to avoid top-tier grapplers. Details on Rogan's full reasoning or specific fighters he has in mind are not provided in the post.
Joe Rogan has weighed in on a notable gap in Khamzat Chimaev's resume, arguing that the undefeated middleweight contender has yet to share the cage with an opponent who brings truly elite wrestling credentials.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," sits at number one in the middleweight division and number ten in the pound-for-pound rankings at just 32 years old. The UAE-based Swede carries a 15-1 record and trains out of Allstars Training Center in Stockholm. His numbers are striking in every sense: he lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate, and his takedown output of 5.29 per fifteen minutes ranks among the highest in the sport. He also averages 1.8 submission attempts per fifteen minutes, underlining a complete grappling game that has overwhelmed every opponent he has faced so far.
Rogan's point, as summarized, is that dominant as those numbers are, they have been produced against men who could not test Chimaev on the mat with comparable credentials. The commentator did not name specific fighters or offer detailed reasoning beyond the core observation, but the implication is clear: until Chimaev faces a decorated collegiate or Olympic-level wrestler, questions about how his grappling holds up against genuine specialists will linger.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the number one middleweight contender, meaning any resume critique carries direct title-picture weight
- His elite takedown and submission averages have been built against opponents Rogan considers grappling-deficient, leaving that dimension of his game theoretically untested at the highest level
- A future matchup with a division-relevant elite wrestler could either silence the critics or expose the first real crack in his record beyond his sole career loss
