Joe Rogan believes Kamaru Usman could have caused serious problems for Khamzat Chimaev under different circumstances. Rogan noted that Usman took the fight on short notice at middleweight and was winning the third round. He suggested that a five-round bout with a full training camp would have been a very interesting fight. Rogan's comments imply that Chimaev's recent win over Usman may not fully reflect what could happen in an optimally prepared matchup. The post does not indicate whether a rematch is being discussed.
Joe Rogan has weighed in on Khamzat Chimaev's recent victory over Kamaru Usman, arguing that the result does not tell the full story of what a more evenly staged matchup might have looked like.
Rogan noted that Usman accepted the fight on short notice and was competing at middleweight rather than his natural welterweight division. Despite those disadvantages, Rogan pointed out that Usman was winning the third round, and suggested that a five-round contest with a full training camp behind him would have made for a very different and more compelling fight.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," carries a 15-1 record and is currently ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound. The 32-year-old, who trains out of Allstars Training Center and represents the United Arab Emirates, is one of the most statistically dominant grapplers in the sport, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 60 percent.
Usman, 39, holds a 21-4 record and sits eighth in the welterweight rankings. The American fighter known as "The Nigerian Nightmare" brings considerable output of his own, landing 4.36 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach that gives him a length advantage over most opponents he faces.
Why it matters
- Usman competing at middleweight on short notice complicates any straightforward reading of Chimaev's win
- A potential rematch at welterweight, or a full-camp middleweight bout, would carry significant divisional weight
- The style matchup pits Chimaev's elite grappling volume against Usman's striking output and wrestling credentials
- Rogan's comments keep public attention on the possibility that the rivalry between the two fighters may not be settled
