2020 was a breakout year for rising undefeated welterweight Khamzat Chimaev. The 27-year-old Stockholm-based fighter put on an impressive three-fight streak in a three-month span while setting records in the process.
“Borz” was unfortunately stopped on his tracks later in the year when he was severely hit by COVID-19. But in his return at UFC 267 last weekend against Li Jingliang, Chimaev didn’t appear to miss a step. He got the job done via first-round submission in a performance that earned him a $50,000 bonus.
Yet, despite his success, those at the top of the 170-pound ladder aren’t buying into his hype just yet.