Robert Whittaker confidently predicted that Khamzat Chimaev will take down and dominate Sean Strickland without problems. Whittaker noted that he saw Dricus Du Plessis take Strickland down multiple times, and emphasized that Chimaev is a much better wrestler than Du Plessis with superior ground control. However, Whittaker acknowledged that Strickland's jab could be an irritating obstacle for Chimaev's takedown attempts. He also pointed out that Strickland's habit of raising his knee while throwing jabs could pose problems for Chimaev's entries, as mistimed takedown attempts could result in running directly into the knee strike, which would cause issues for any fighter.
Robert Whittaker has gone on record with a confident prediction for the anticipated middleweight clash between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland, forecasting that Chimaev's wrestling will be the decisive factor in any meeting between the two.
Whittaker drew on his own experience competing against Strickland to make the case. He pointed to the fact that Dricus Du Plessis was able to take Strickland down multiple times in their contest, and argued that Chimaev represents a significantly more dangerous grappling threat than Du Plessis. In Whittaker's view, Chimaev should have little difficulty controlling Strickland on the canvas.
The numbers back up the argument. Chimaev, the number-one-ranked middleweight at 15-1-0, averages an extraordinary 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and completes his shots at a 60 percent striking accuracy rate, reflecting the precision he brings to his offensive entries. Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion with a 31-7-0 record, averages just 0.71 takedowns per 15 minutes, underscoring a defensive wrestling game that relies heavily on staying upright and working behind a high-volume striking output of 6.04 significant strikes per minute.
Whittaker did not dismiss Strickland entirely, however. He noted that the champion's sharp jab presents a genuine nuisance for anyone trying to close distance, and flagged a specific mechanical habit — Strickland's tendency to lift his knee while throwing the jab — as a potential trap. A mistimed takedown entry from Chimaev could see him walk directly into that knee strike, a scenario Whittaker described as problematic for any fighter regardless of pedigree.
Why it matters
- Chimaev enters as the top-ranked middleweight contender; a win over the champion would be the defining result of his career
- Du Plessis, ranked second at 23-3-0, has already demonstrated the blueprint of taking Strickland down, lending credibility to Whittaker's analysis
- Strickland's standup output and the knee-jab combination offer a credible path to disrupting Chimaev's trademark grappling entries
