Statistical analysis reveals that Khamzat Chimaev has been remarkably elusive in opening rounds throughout his UFC career. In nine UFC fights, opponents have landed only 24 significant strikes on him in first rounds, with 18 of those coming from Gilbert Burns alone. Five of his nine opponents failed to land a single significant strike in the first five minutes. Most notably, current middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis was unable to land any significant strikes in round one against Chimaev. This defensive dominance sets up an intriguing stylistic question heading into his upcoming bout with Sean Strickland.
A deep dive into UFC striking data has revealed an extraordinary pattern in Khamzat Chimaev's defensive numbers during opening rounds, with the findings carrying particular relevance ahead of his upcoming fight against Sean Strickland.
Across nine UFC appearances, Chimaev has allowed opponents to land just 24 significant strikes in first rounds combined. Of that already modest total, 18 came from a single fighter: Gilbert Burns, the Brazilian welterweight veteran now ranked 13th in his division at 39 years old, who carries a 22-10 record and lands 3.15 significant strikes per minute on average. In other words, the remaining eight opponents accounted for only six significant strikes between them in opening frames. Five of those nine fighters were completely shut out, failing to land a single significant strike in the first five minutes.
Among those unable to make an impression in round one was Dricus Du Plessis, the 32-year-old South African currently ranked second in the middleweight division with a 23-3 record. Du Plessis averages 5.18 significant strikes per minute and connects at 48 percent accuracy, making his inability to register even one significant strike against Chimaev in the opening round a notable statistical outlier.
Now Chimaev turns his attention to current middleweight champion Sean Strickland. The 35-year-old American fights out of Xtreme Couture and carries a 31-7 record. Strickland is one of the division's most active offensive fighters, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute, though his accuracy sits at 42 percent. He has a 76-inch reach and stands six-foot-one.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's first-round defensive record suggests opponents struggle to establish rhythm or damage early against him
- Strickland's high-volume striking style will face an immediate test given those numbers
- Du Plessis, ranked just above Strickland at number two, could not solve the same puzzle, adding context to the divisional stakes surrounding this matchup
- The Burns caveat remains relevant — elite grapplers with offensive urgency represent the clearest path to disrupting Chimaev's early dominance
