Khamzat Chimaev states case for title shot with dominant first-round submission of ex-champ Robert Whittaker

The only questions about Khamzat Chimaev in the last two years surrounded his health, not his talent. From the first moment he stepped into the Octagon in 2020, Chimaev was one of the elite fighters in the world. But since a difficult bout with COVID-19 and three stints in the hospital earlier this year, there was a legitimate concern that his health would prevent him from reaching his immense potential.

In the days and weeks before he met Robert Whittaker Saturday at Etihad Arena in the co-main event of UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Chimaev was loose and relaxed and insisted he was healthy.

He proved that once the bell rang.

Twenty seconds into the bout, he had Whittaker on the floor. Thirty seconds in, he was on his back. And at 3:34 of the first, Whittaker tapped to a face crank in the most impressive victory of Chimaev's impressive career. Whittaker tapped almost immediately upon the submission being applied, saying he thought he disclocated his jaw. It apparently dislodged his front teeth.

Chimaev raced to the ring, and it was obvious why. He hasn't fought since he defeated Kevin Holland at UFC 279 in 2022, and he looked vastly better Saturday than he did then. He improved to 14-0 with the submission. Nine of his wins came in the first round, and 12 of the 14 have been by submission.

UFC CEO/president Dana White said recently that Sean Strickland would get the next shot at the middleweight title held by Dricus Du Plessis, but Chimaev made a big statement with the win over one of the most respected fighters in the game.

Chimaev said he has great respect for Whittaker and rightfully referred to him as a legend. But Chimaev is becoming a legend himself with these dominant wins.

"Dana, I want the belt," Chimaev said.

He certainly proved he's deserving of it. The fight stats were reminiscent of his early days in the UFC when he was landing hundreds of strikes and literally not getting touched.

The fight lasted three minutes, 34 seconds and Chimaev had 3:20 of control time. He was 25 of 31 in significant strikes and Whittaker was 2 of 2. He looked on a different level from one of the greatest middleweights in UFC history.

The question now is, will he jump the line?

He made a case for himself as the greatest fighter in the world with that performance, though Ilia Topuria did the same in the main event when he knocked out Max Holloway in the third of their featherweight title bout.

Chimaev is fast, strong and powerful and it doesn't seem like there's many who can give him much of a test. He complained that no one wants to fight him, and while that may be hyperbole, his performance Saturday certainly didn't make it any easier to find a volunteer.