Sep 10, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Khamzat Chimaev (red gloves) fights Kevin Holland (blue gloves) during UFC 279 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

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“Fastest Way To Get Pound-For-Pound No. 1.”- Khamzat Chimaev Ready To Take This Fighter On For The #1 Spot!

Khamzat Chimaev believes a win over this fighter would cement him as the pound-for-pound king faster than any other path!

Sep 10, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Khamzat Chimaev (red gloves) fights Kevin Holland (blue gloves) during UFC 279 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The UFC pound-for-pound rankings have always sparked heated debates among fans and fighters alike. Right now, Ilia Topuria sits at the top after his knockout of Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title. But climbing those rankings requires more than just winning fights. You need to beat the absolute best competitors in the sport. Khamzat Chimaev understands this game better than most fighters. The Swedish-Chechen destroyer has been bulldozing through opponents since his UFC debut, leaving a trail of broken dreams and highlight reel finishes in his wake.

Chimaev burst onto the scene during the pandemic era, when the UFC desperately needed fresh stars. His dominant performances against guys like Gerald Meerschaert and Li Jingliang made everyone take notice. The man completely overwhelmed his opponents with a suffocating style that mixed wrestling dominance with vicious striking. Now he’s preparing for the biggest fight of his career against middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. But even before that massive showdown, Chimaev is already thinking several steps ahead about his path to greatness.

Khamzat Chimaev Sees Business First, Divisions Second

When reporters asked Chimaev about his future plans after potentially beating Dricus Du Plessis, his answer revealed the calculated mind of a modern prizefighter. He made it clear that divisions don’t really matter to him as long as the business makes sense. Chimaev sees the bigger picture: money talks, and fans want to see the biggest fights possible regardless of what number appears on the scale.

“Doesn’t matter. I will be ready… I want to fight in Abu Dhabi [next]. Maybe defend the belt, maybe fight somebody. I am doing my business, so doesn’t matter, if they give me money, I will fight anybody.”

The undefeated fighter also expressed his desire to compete in Abu Dhabi for his next bout. The Middle East has become a crucial market for the UFC, and fights there often carry extra significance for Muslim fighters like Chimaev. Abu Dhabi events typically feature stacked cards and massive audiences, which would provide the perfect stage for whatever statement Chimaev wants to make next.

Khamzat Chimaev Ready To Face Islam Makhachev

Here’s where things get really interesting for fight fans. When asked directly about facing Islam Makhachev if he became welterweight champion, Chimaev didn’t shy away from the possibility. He acknowledged that beating Makhachev would be his fastest route to becoming the pound-for-pound number one fighter in the world.

“We will see who will be the champion there [170 pounds]. I don’t know. It’s the fastest way [fighting Makhachev] to get the pound-for-pound number 1”

Khamzat Chimaev says beating Islam Makhachev if they both win their next fights would be his "fastest way to get pound-for-pound No. 1." ☝️ pic.twitter.com/Ek6LttzgV6
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 7, 2025

Makhachev represents the perfect puzzle for Chimaev to solve on his quest for greatness. The Dagestani fighter brings elite wrestling credentials and has already proven himself against top level competition throughout his career. A victory over someone of Islam Makhachev’s caliber would instantly elevate Chimaev’s resume to legendary status. Both men share similar grappling heavy backgrounds, which would create a fascinating stylistic matchup that wrestling fans would absolutely love to see unfold. But, at the same time, fans are skeptical that Chimaev can make 170 pounds again.

(Image Credit: Joe Camporeale – Imagn Images)

Islam Makhachev

Khamzat Chimaev

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!