Anthony Smith thinks Khamzat Chimaev is unbeatable – if the combat stays within the first spherical.
Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) faces Whittaker (25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC) in a middleweight title eliminator which headlines UFC on ABC 6 on June 22 at Kingdom Enviornment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Chimaev remains to be undefeated, however hasn’t appeared as dominant as of late. He’s gotten off to good begins in current wins over Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman, however slowed down because the combat progressed. Smith says within the first 5 minutes of a combat, he’d take Chimaev over anybody.
“I’m an actual massive believer in Khamzat, I actually am,” Smith mentioned on his “Imagine You Me” podcast with Michael Bisping. “I believe the man’s unbelievable. But when we’re simply being essential, first spherical. I believe Khamzat can beat anyone throughout any weight class, I don’t give a sh*t who it’s.
“Anyone on the earth, he can beat within the first spherical. We begin entering into the second, third, fourth, fifth – the Gilbert Burns combat is an ideal instance. If that combat goes one other two rounds, (he’d be in bother). … First spherical, monster.”
Nevertheless, Smith isn’t too certain of Chimaev’s probabilities towards former champion Whittaker in what would be the first five-round combat of his profession.
“Whittaker gained’t get drained, and that’s my sticking level,” Smith mentioned. “If he can do plenty of massive harm early within the first spherical, second spherical, and sort of compromise Whittaker early, then I believe he can cruise. If he paces himself early, now he’s not the Khamzat we’re used to. He’s not as efficient. So I don’t know. I hate to say it, however I lean Whittaker.”
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