The Fearsome Grappling Technique of Khamzat Chimaev: A Nightmare for UFC Opponents

There’s a reason why so many fighters avoid the name Khamzat Chimaev when matchmakers come calling. It’s not just the hype. It’s not just the undefeated record. It’s the overwhelming, suffocating pressure that comes the moment he closes the distance — and once he gets his hands on you, it’s too late. His grappling isn’t just elite — it’s deeply uncomfortable, deeply psychological, and deeply effective.

At UFC 319, Khamzat Chimaev prepares to face middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, a man known for his awkward yet powerful style. But even Du Plessis’ awkwardness might not save him from the mauling style of “Borz.” And according to several legends of the sport, the grappling game that Chimaev brings is not just elite — it’s nightmarish.

Why Khamzat’s Grappling Is Different

Former flyweight king Demetrious Johnson recently offered a rare technical breakdown of Chimaev’s grappling style. In his analysis, Johnson described it as “unorthodox, raw, but highly effective.” But it’s not just technique that makes Chimaev terrifying.

| Demetrious Johnson: His grip strength is unreal. When he wraps his arms around you, it’s like being grabbed by a bear.

That’s not hyperbole. Chimaev uses a style often described as “Dagestani pressure” — but what makes his different is that it’s less focused on technical scoring and more focused on pure violence.

Whereas Dagestani greats like Khabib Nurmagomedov would methodically advance position, Chimaev is chaotic. He uses body-lock takedowns, trips, and relentless chain wrestling — all with the goal of smashing his opponent or forcing them to panic.

A Grip Like No Other

One of the most talked-about parts of Chimaev’s grappling game is his suffocating upper-body control. In his fight against Kevin Holland, we saw this on full display.

Within seconds, Chimaev shot for a takedown, wrapped Holland up, and never gave him space to breathe. Holland tried to scramble, tried to move — nothing worked. Eventually, he was submitted with a D’Arce choke before even landing a single clean strike.

| Daniel Cormier: That was the most dominant grappling we’ve seen since Khabib. But Khamzat has more… malice.

Cormier, an Olympic wrestler and former double champ, was stunned by the intentional discomfort Chimaev caused. It wasn’t about winning rounds — it was about breaking the man.

From Control to Chaos: Chimaev’s Transitions

What separates Chimaev from other wrestlers isn’t just control, it’s how violently he transitions. Traditional grapplers aim to slowly improve position — Chimaev explodes.

He’ll go from back control to mount to side control in less than five seconds — slamming his opponent or dragging them along the mat. His style looks messy, but it’s actually calculated chaos.

Against Li Jingliang, a high-level striker with solid grappling defense, Chimaev picked him up like a child and walked him across the cage — yelling at Dana White mid-air — before slamming him and submitting him in the first round.

This wasn’t just dominance — it was showmanship through brutality.

The Psychological Toll of Facing Khamzat

Perhaps the most under-discussed part of Chimaev’s grappling is the mental toll it takes.

By the time fighters enter the cage, many are already rattled. Gilbert Burns, arguably Chimaev’s toughest opponent so far, admitted that the pressure and intensity of “Borz” made the fight feel like survival more than strategy.

| Gilbert Burns: He’s not just a fighter. He’s a storm.

Most fighters aren’t used to someone sprinting across the cage and grabbing them within five seconds. That instant pressure forces them into defensive mode. Once there, Chimaev doesn’t give them a chance to reset.

This immediate transition from standup to grappling panic mode short-circuits gameplans. Coaches can’t help. Fighters can’t breathe. And Chimaev thrives in that chaos.

Demetrious Johnson: “He’s Not Doing What He’s Supposed to Do – That’s Why It Works”

In his analysis video, Demetrious Johnson pointed out that Chimaev isn’t playing by the textbook. And that’s precisely why he’s dangerous.

In a sequence breakdown, Johnson showed how Chimaev traps his opponent’s hips in a half-guard-like position but never settles — he forces constant movement. This leads to openings most BJJ guys miss because they’re trained to be patient.

| Demetrious Johnson: He’s grappling like he’s in a street fight. And that’s why guys can’t keep up.

This unpredictability means Chimaev can’t be trained against in the gym. Sparring partners don’t simulate what he does. He’s one of one.

What Makes Him So Effective Against Strikers

Many UFC strikers — even elite ones — get exposed once they’re on their back. But Chimaev doesn’t even give them the chance to throw. Against Gerald Meerschaert, a seasoned veteran with knockout power, Chimaev walked in and KO’d him in 17 seconds with a single punch.

Why is this relevant in a grappling discussion? Because it proved a new dimension — if you over-prepare for his takedowns, he’ll finish you standing.

That creates paralysis by analysis. Fighters don’t know if he’s going to shoot or strike. And by the time they decide, he’s already on them.

Dricus Du Plessis: Can His “Awkward” Style Resist the Mauling?

At UFC 319, Dricus Du Plessis faces arguably his toughest stylistic challenge yet. The South African middleweight has shown incredible cardio and a unique movement pattern that throws off opponents.

But grappling-wise, Du Plessis has holes. He’s tough, no doubt. He can scramble. But against someone like Chimaev, scrambling only postpones the inevitable.

| Daniel Cormier: Dricus has heart, but heart alone doesn’t stop that pressure.

There’s also the altitude factor — UFC 319 takes place in Denver, Colorado. If Chimaev starts fast (as always), the thinner air could gas out Du Plessis even faster — especially if he’s underneath a 190+ pound man who refuses to stop moving.

The Evolution of Chimaev’s Ground Game

Initially, critics said Chimaev was just muscle and aggression. But over time, we’ve seen refinement.

• He chains submissions beautifully now.

• He controls wrists the way elite sambo practitioners do.

• He’s learned to conserve energy when necessary — most notably in the Burns fight.

That evolution makes him more than a brawler. It makes him a strategic monster.

His training in Sweden, alongside world-class grapplers and freestyle wrestlers, has paid off. He’s also picked up slick submission entries, including D’Arce and guillotine variations that surprise even black belts.

Chimaev’s Future in Grappling Legacy

Some have compared Chimaev to Khabib, but their styles differ. Khabib was calculated, suffocating, and methodical. Chimaev is violent, impulsive, and hungry for finishes.

But one thing is similar: both make elite fighters look like amateurs once the fight hits the ground.

If Chimaev beats Du Plessis — and does it using his signature grappling — it will solidify his position as the most dangerous ground fighter since Khabib, perhaps even more brutal.

Final Thoughts: Can Anyone Survive the Storm?

The true terror of Khamzat Chimaev isn’t just that he’s undefeated. It’s that he makes good fighters look like they don’t belong in the cage.

His grappling is more than skill. It’s a form of mental warfare — one that overwhelms, breaks, and devours.

And unless Dricus Du Plessis has prepared for a storm unlike anything he’s seen, UFC 319 might just be another violent chapter in Chimaev’s rise to UFC dominance.

| Demetrious Johnson: If you want to beat Chimaev, you can’t just defend. You have to fight back in the fire. Most guys can’t.

Whether you call it pressure, control, or violence — one thing is clear: once Khamzat grabs you, your gameplan is gone.