Coach Azamat Dugulubgov in an interview with estimated the chances of the former UFC champion Kamaru Usman in a potential fight against Khamzat Chimaeva .
Chimaev and Usman can fight at the traditional UFC tournament in Abu Dhabi in October. Currently, Usman (20-3 in MMA) is ranked No. 1 in the welterweight division (up to 77.1 kg); Chimaev (12-0) is in fourth place. Dugulubgov worked in the same gym as Chimaev as a trainer to UFC’s top lightweight Jalin Turner, who fought with the Russian fighter.
– They discuss the fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Kamaru Usman. As a coach, what do you think Usman will bet on in the fight against Chimaev?
– That’s an interesting question. It seems to me that, first, they will try to stretch the fight, drag it into later rounds. Second, they will rely on the jab, on the front hand work. And, obviously, they will devote a lot of time to combat. It’s purely my opinion that Kamaru Usman, who was the champion and was on a winning streak, could give Hamzat a good fight. But now, in his current form, he won’t be able to resist Chimaev.
– What stands out about Khamzat’s skills if you consider him a professional coach?
“He has no masks… of characters. It comes out as it is, as you see it. This helps him relieve the pressure put on his shoulders by fighters. He goes out and works without restraint, no matter who is watching him, who he trains with. At every turn he tries to do his best and improve.
And one more detail, he steps out of his comfort zone with every workout. For many, this seems like something simple, obvious. But that’s one of the most important qualities for a fighter is a championship approach to training. His shooting is improving, he planted several guys, hitting their bodies. His wrestling is at a very high level. He will be a big problem for anyone in the cage,” Dugulubgov told .
In the last fight, Chimaev, who made his UFC debut in the summer of 2020, choked Kevin Holland in the third minute of the first round. The Russian fighter, who lives in Sweden, fights in two weight categories: up to 77.1 and up to 83.9 kg.
Live broadcasts of the Mixed Martial Arts tournaments can be seen on and Match! Fighter”, as well as on the sites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.
Source : MatchTV
I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
