At UFC 319, Khamzat Chimaev won the middleweight belt in convincing fashion against Dricus du Plessis. The victory put his UFC record at 9–0, but not everyone was pleased. Nate Diaz responded quickly, stating that Chimaev’s fighting style is “boring” and also referring to him as “big old scared child.”
Diaz Main Criticism
Diaz displays an apparent dislike for the grappling-dominated style. He stated, “I don’t like that type of fighting. It’s boring to me.” In Diaz’s opinion, Chimaev plays the role of the intimidating man, but when he is in the cage, he grabs on hard with small punches.
- Diaz stated: “He’s supposed to be the big scary guy… then he releases and smacks him a little bit, little soft punches and shit.“
- He went on and said: “That kind of fighter is a frightened fighter… It’s a large old frightened f**ing kid. That’s why I tweeted […] he’s not a fighter because you can see by how frightened he is gripping him that tightly.“
This, Diaz states clearly does not indicate to him that Chimaev demonstrated genuine fight spirit in the win.
Why is History Important
This is not the first time their names have been linked. Diaz and Chimaev were scheduled for UFC 279, but it collapsed when Chimaev badly missed weight. Diaz wound up fighting Tony Ferguson, while Chimaev fought Kevin Holland. Due to that, Diaz’s recent words weigh more heavily, as if he still lugs around from that history.
How UFC 319 unfolds
Despite Diaz’s profanity, Chimaev was in total command against du Plessis. The fight goes the full five rounds, his third time doing so in his UFC career. Nevertheless, Chimaev dominated throughout the bout and claimed the belt decisively.
His resume boasts victories over top performers such as Robert Whittaker, Kamaru Usman, and Gilbert Burns, demonstrating that he is already among the strongest in the division.
What is Next for Chimaev
UFC already makes plans for Chimaev’s title defense one. The most likely challenger will emerge from two upcoming fights at middleweight:
- Nassourdine Imavov vs. Caio Borralho
- Anthony Hernandez vs. Reinier de Ridder
Both are in September and October, and the victor can be Chimaev’s belt next challenger.
Clash of Views
Diaz View
Diaz is always a grinder who likes open striking and brawling. For him, if a fight is filled with grappling and clinching, it becomes dull and the real spirit of the fight is lost.
Chimaev Style
Chimaev’s approach has already proved fruitful. He applies pressure and control to defeat biggest stars. Even if his strategy appears less crazy, it is extremely tough to prevent.
Conclusion
At UFC 319, Khamzat Chimaev was the new middleweight champion, but Nate Diaz brushed off his style as cowardly and boring. With history between them and Diaz’s aversion to defensive fighting, the argument is larger than this victory. Now, with Chimaev in preparation for his first title defense, the question lingers, do people care more about effectiveness or entertainment?
