Khamzat Chimaev has absorbed just 24 significant strikes in first rounds

Khamzat Chimaev has proven nearly untouchable in opening rounds across his nine UFC fights. He has absorbed only 24 significant strikes total in first rounds, with 18 of those coming from Gilbert Burns alone. Five of his nine UFC opponents failed to land a single significant strike in the first five minutes, including current middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis. The post suggests this defensive dominance will continue against Sean Strickland, though it acknowledges Strickland's jab could impact the statistics. Chimaev's first-round defense remains one of the most impressive in the UFC.