Podcast host and UFC commentator Joe Rogan has shared his opinion that Khamzat Chimaev has not yet been tested against serious opposition in terms of wrestling skills. Rogan's assessment suggests that despite Chimaev's dominant wrestling performances in the UFC, he has not faced fighters with elite-level grappling credentials. This observation raises questions about how Chimaev would perform against top-tier wrestlers in his division. The post presents Rogan's analysis of a potential gap in Chimaev's resume, though it does not specify which fighters Rogan might consider appropriate wrestling tests for the Chechen contender.
UFC commentator and podcast host Joe Rogan has publicly questioned whether Khamzat Chimaev has truly been tested on the mat, arguing that the unbeaten middleweight contender has yet to share the cage with a wrestler of genuine elite credentials.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," carries a 15-1 record and currently sits at number one in the middleweight rankings, also slotting in at number ten in the pound-for-pound standings. The 32-year-old, who fights out of Allstars Training Center and represents the United Arab Emirates, has been one of the most statistically dominant grapplers in the UFC since his debut. He averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and throws leather at a rate of 4.04 significant strikes per minute with a striking accuracy of 60 percent — numbers that reflect a fighter who controls both range and range of the fight. At six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he also carries physical advantages in most matchups.
Rogan's argument, as presented, is that the resume simply hasn't included wrestlers capable of neutralizing what Chimaev does on the ground. The implication is that until Chimaev faces someone who can genuinely match or counter his grappling, questions about that dimension of his game will remain open.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the top-ranked middleweight contender, so any gap in his resume directly affects title-fight conversations
- His takedown volume is among the highest in the division, making a credible wrestling test the most logical way to probe his ceiling
- The commentary from a high-profile voice like Rogan adds mainstream attention to a debate that has circulated among analysts for some time
- No specific opponent was named, leaving the observation as a general critique rather than a call for a particular matchup
