RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesNavajo
Stirling believes Khamzat
Chimaev is a one-dimensional fighter.
After Chimaev suffered the first loss of his professional career,
the hype surrounding the former
Ultimate Fighting Championship champion has dampened. Stirling
recently called him a “one-trick pony” and wants Chimaev to move up
to light heavyweight so they can fight. Why Navajo Stirling Believes Khamzat Chimaev Isn't a Complete
Fighter
While Stirling acknowledges that Chimaev would bring much attention
to the 205-pound division, the unbeaten Kiwi wants to expose how
“Borz” isn’t a well-rounded fighter.
“I think he’s a bit of a one-trick pony,” Stirling told Full Send
MMA. “I would love to fight him. I want to test my theory against
someone like that. I would love for some bigger names to come to
the division that could bring some hype.”
Chimaev was undefeated and a massive betting favorite going into
his first middleweight title defense against Sean
Strickland at
UFC 328 this past May. However, he visibly gassed out after a
failed takedown attempt in the second round and completely
abandoned his wrestling thereafter.
Strickland then out-landed Chimaev on the feet en route to a
massive upset win via split decision. UFC CEO Dana
White later claimed that Chimaev had discussed a move up to
light heavyweight in the immediate aftermath of his first
professional loss. However, he has since been repeatedly calling
for a rematch against Strickland.
Meanwhile, Stirling has racked up five UFC wins, with two finishes,
since making his Octagon debut in 2024. He is now scheduled to
fight Jan
Blachowicz on less than three weeks’ notice at
UFC Belgrade on Aug. 1 in Serbia. Navajo
Stirling wants Khamzat
Chimaev to come up to light heavyweight
“I think he’s a bit of a one trick pony. I would love to fight him,
I wanna test my theory against someone like that. I would love to
see bigger names in the division that could bring some hype”
pic.twitter.com/L08xcGyEjX —
FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma)
July 27, 2026
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