Khamzat Chimaev burst onto the UFC scene in the summer of 2020, finishing his first three opponents in barely two months with thrashing performances. He continued to pile up gaudy numbers, and even after injuries, illnesses and other factors slowed his roll, he remained undefeated and eventually made it to a title fight at last Saturday's UFC 319.

Khamzat Chimaev brought his newly won UFC title back to Chechnya.

The main event of UFC Vancouver on 18 October will pit Reinier de Ridder against Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez, potentially offering a clue to Khamzat Chimaev ’s first challenger for the middleweight title.

Khamzat Chimaev finally has UFC gold strapped around his waist, and let’s be honest—it was only a matter of time. Everyone knew he had the talent to get there, but the way he tore through Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 left fans and analysts stunned.

Paulo Costa ripped Khamzat Chimaev's title-winning performance at UFC 319.

Robert Whittaker defends Khamzat Chimaev’s dominant performance over Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 against fans who called it boring.

Getty/UFC Arman Tsarukyan advised Khamzat Chimaev against striking at UFC 319. Chimaev challenged Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight title in the main event at UFC 319 last weekend in Chicago. Tsarukyan was a part of Chimaev's camp under head coach Sam Calavitta and also served as his cornerman.