From Undefeated Boogeyman to Questioned Contender: What’s Going On with Chimaev Before the Mega Fight?

There was a time when the name Khamzat Chimaev would send chills down any welterweight or middleweight’s spine. An undefeated wrecking machine, he tore through opponents like paper, never giving fans or fighters a moment to doubt his dominance. But now? Doubts are creeping in. Whispers are turning into public conversations. Fans are shifting their loyalty, and the MMA world is wondering—what’s really happening with Chimaev?

Once seen as UFC’s next mega-star, Chimaev now finds himself in an uncomfortable spotlight—not as the man to beat, but as the man many believe might fall. With his upcoming showdown against Dricus Du Plessis, the narrative has flipped entirely. And it’s not just about fighting styles or stats—it’s about the cracks in the image of invincibility.

A Sudden Shift: From Fear to Skepticism

Let’s go back two years. Khamzat Chimaev was considered untouchable. He destroyed Gerald Meerschaert in 17 seconds, manhandled Li Jingliang as if he were a child, and even out-grappled elite wrestlers like Gilbert Burns in a chaotic war that added to his myth. Fans were mesmerized.

But now, things are different. The aura is dimming.

So, what changed?

Inactivity Breeds Doubt

First and foremost, Chimaev’s inactivity has taken a toll on his image. In combat sports, you’re only as good as your last performance—and if you’re not performing, people forget or start questioning.

Since 2022, his fight schedule has been sporadic, plagued by canceled bouts, health issues, and visa problems. While other fighters like Du Plessis and Sean Strickland stayed active and hungry, Chimaev was often out of the conversation.

| A UFC fan on Twitter: “Chimaev’s Instagram sees more action than his fight record lately.” |

For a fighter who built his brand on dominance and consistency, this inconsistency has become a red flag.

The Weight Cut Controversy

One of the biggest blemishes on Chimaev’s record came not from inside the Octagon—but from the scale.

At UFC 279, he missed weight by nearly eight pounds, leading to a complete reshuffle of the fight card. It was embarrassing not only for him but for the UFC as a whole. Fighters and fans were furious. What followed was a dismissive attitude that rubbed many the wrong way.

| CHIMAEV: “I don’t care. I’ll fight everyone. Weight class doesn’t matter.” |

While confidence is expected, arrogance without accountability isn’t. Many interpreted his reaction as disrespectful and unprofessional. Since then, the trust began to erode.

Health Concerns: The Elephant in the Room

Rumors of Chimaev’s lingering health issues have also become harder to ignore. His battle with COVID-19 in 2021 was so severe he briefly announced retirement. Since then, questions have lingered about whether he’s operating at 100%.

His constant absences from the Octagon—often unexplained—have only fueled speculation. While Chimaev and his camp downplay these concerns, fans aren’t buying it anymore.

| An MMA forum comment: “I think there’s something going on that they’re not telling us. He doesn’t look as explosive as before.” |

The UFC has been tight-lipped, but silence only amplifies suspicion.

Fans No Longer See the Killer Instinct

Part of what made Chimaev such a force of nature was how ruthlessly he finished his opponents. There was no hesitation—just pressure, control, and destruction. But in his fight with Gilbert Burns, some saw cracks in that image.

Yes, it was a Fight of the Year contender, and yes, Chimaev won. But it was also the first time he looked… human.

He absorbed shots. He gassed. He showed vulnerability.

That wasn’t the Chimaev fans were sold.

The Rise of Du Plessis: A New Favorite Emerges

While Chimaev was fading from the spotlight, Dricus Du Plessis was climbing fast.

Unapologetically tough, Du Plessis put away big names like Robert Whittaker and Derek Brunson. He walked into enemy territory and backed up his words with brutal efficiency. Unlike Chimaev, his rise was seen as authentic—less hype, more action.

| DU PLESSIS: “I don’t need to talk. I make statements with my fists.” |

Now, ahead of their showdown, the momentum is all on Du Plessis’s side. Social media polls, fan votes, and even Vegas odds reflect this shift.

A recent poll by ESPN MMA asked: “Who do you trust more right now to win?”

• Du Plessis: 81%

• Chimaev: 19%

That’s not just a dip—it’s a collapse in belief.

A Branding Crisis

Chimaev’s mystique was never just about performance. It was about image—a savage warrior who fears no one.

But branding is a fragile thing.

When the same guy pulling off daring double-leg takedowns is also posting selfies at fashion shows or ducking interviews, the lines start to blur. Fans can love a personality, but they despise inconsistency.

In contrast, Du Plessis comes across as grounded, composed, and focused purely on the fight. He’s not trying to sell anything. That’s refreshing in an age of clickbait and clout-chasing.

Social Media Reactions Speak Volumes

Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram comment sections often serve as the real pulse of the fight game. And right now? That pulse isn’t favoring Chimaev.

“He’s turning into another hype job.”
“Dude had 4 good fights and disappeared.”
“Du Plessis is going to humble this guy.”

These aren’t fringe voices. They’re coming from former believers. Fans who once rode hard for Chimaev are now placing their bets elsewhere.

Mental Pressure: Will It Crack the Wolf?

The psychological toll on Chimaev must be enormous. Once seen as the boogeyman, he’s now the hunted. The expectations are different now. He’s no longer just fighting opponents—he’s fighting ghosts of his own past dominance.

Will he rise to the occasion? Or crumble under the weight?

His silence before this fight is deafening. In the past, he’d bark. Now, he seems… cautious. Measured. That’s not the Chimaev fans fell in love with.

Why the Fans See What He Doesn’t

Maybe the most powerful question here isn’t about Chimaev’s physical decline—but about his perception.

Does he still believe he’s unbeatable?

Fans don’t. And that might be the key.

Because in MMA, once the mystique is gone, you become just another man. And no man is untouchable.

| A fan’s TikTok: “The scariest thing about Chimaev wasn’t his power—it was our belief that he couldn’t lose. That’s gone now.” |

Redemption or Collapse?

This upcoming fight with Du Plessis is more than a title eliminator. It’s a defining moment in Chimaev’s legacy. Win—and he silences all doubters. Lose—and his myth officially dies.

The cage has no memory. The fans, however, do. And right now, they remember the weight misses, the ducked fights, and the fading killer instinct.

Will Chimaev rise again like the beast he once was?

Or will he finally be exposed as just another fighter whose bark was louder than his bite?

What’s clear is this: “They don’t believe in Chimaev anymore.” And in a sport built on belief, that’s more dangerous than any punch.