The debate over who holds the advantage in a potential fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Alex Pereira is heating up, and recent opinions suggest that it's a clash worth paying close attention to. But here's where it gets controversial: some experts believe Chimaev's wrestling and grappling skills could overpower Pereira’s striking prowess, tipping the scales decisively in his favor.
Henry Cejudo, a former UFC champion who has ruled in two weight classes, is firmly on the side of Chimaev when it comes to this hypothetical matchup. He argues that Chimaev’s grappling ability might be too much for Pereira, especially if the fight takes place at middleweight or even light heavyweight.
Recently, UFC star Chimaev (who is undefeated at 15-0 MMA, with a perfect 9-0 record in the UFC) threw out a challenge to fight Pereira (who has a record of 13-3 MMA, with 10-2 in the UFC) at the White House on June 14. Interestingly, Pereira seems interested in moving up in weight class himself, aiming to challenge Jon Jones instead.
If Chimaev actually gets the opportunity to fight Pereira, Cejudo states he would give Chimaev a very strong chance of winning. He explained on his "Pound 4 Pound" podcast, which he hosts alongside Kamaru Usman, that Chimaev needs to successfully defend his belt before making a move to heavyweight. However, once he’s done with that, Cejudo believes the next logical step is a bout against the top contender at light heavyweight — which could be Pereira himself.
Cejudo emphasizes that stylistically, the fight favors Chimaev due to his exceptional grappling. He points out that Khamzat’s ground control, discipline, and wrestling strength make him a dangerous opponent. Cejudo even mentioned speaking with Jon Jones, who reportedly noted Chimaev’s extraordinary strength — describing him as a “freak of nature,” roughly the same height as Pereira at 6-foot-4. With this physical size and his grappling skills, Cejudo confidently states he favors Khamzat if the fight were to happen.
Chimaev has already demonstrated his grappling prowess impressively, especially in his recent victory over Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319, where he dominated through relentless takedowns — finishing with 12 against Du Plessis and over 21 minutes of control time.
But here’s where the discussion gets more nuanced — despite his striking ability, Chimaev’s wrestling and grappling could be what ultimately decides a fight against Pereira, not just his stand-up skills. Do you agree with Cejudo’s assessment, or do you think Pereira’s striking power could still dominate? Who do you believe has the upper hand, and why? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!
