Anthony Smith: Chimaev is Unstoppable in One Round MMAnytt.com

Anthony Smith believes that Khamzat Chimaev is unbeatable – if the fight stays in the first round.

Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) will face Robert Whittaker (25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC) in a middleweight title eliminator headlining UFC on ABC 6 on June 22 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Chimaev remains undefeated but has not looked as dominant lately. He started strong in his recent victories over Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman, but slowed down as the fights progressed. Smith asserts that in the first five minutes of a fight, he would pick Chimaev over anyone.

– I’m a real big believer in Khamzat, I really am, Smith said on his “Believe You Me” podcast with Michael Bisping. – I think the guy’s incredible. But if we’re just being critical, first round. I think Khamzat can beat anybody across any weight class, I don’t give a sh*t who it is.

– Anybody in the world, he can beat in the first round. We start getting into the second, third, fourth, fifth – the Gilbert Burns fight is a perfect example. If that fight goes another two rounds, he’d be in trouble. … First round, monster.

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However, Smith is uncertain about Chimaev’s chances against former champion Whittaker in what will be the first five-round fight of his career.

– Whittaker won’t get tired, and that’s my sticking point, Smith said. – If he can do lots of big damage early in the first round, second round, and kind of compromise Whittaker early, then I think he can cruise. If he paces himself early, now he’s not the Khamzat we’re used to. He’s not as effective. So I don’t know. I hate to say it, but I lean Whittaker.

Fight Card

UFC on ABC 6
Location: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Date: June 22
Time: Main card starts at 11:00 PM local time (10:00 PM CET)

Main Card

Robert Whittaker (25-7-0) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (13-0-0)
Sergei Pavlovich (18-1-0) vs. Alexander Volkov (37-10-0)
Jared Cannonier (17-6-0) vs. Nassourdine Imavov (13-4-0)
Kelvin Gastelum (18-9-0) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (17-4-0)
Volkan Oezdemir (19-7-0) vs. Johnny Walker (21-8-0)
Shara Magomedov (12-0-0) vs. Opponent TBA

Preliminary Card

Nicolas Dalby (23-4-1) vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov (23-2-1)
Magomed Gadzhiyasulov (8-0-0) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (15-6-0)
Montel Jackson (13-2-0) vs. Said Nurmagomedov (18-3-0)
Melsik Baghdasaryan (8-2-0) vs. Muhammad Naimov (9-2-0)

Anthony Smith’s comments on Chimaev and Whittaker provide an intriguing perspective on the upcoming fight. It will be interesting to see if Chimaev can prove his abilities over five rounds or if Whittaker’s endurance will be the deciding factor.