Since Khamzat Chimaev won his UFC title back in August, there have been debates amongst fans and experts over who, if anybody, can dethrone him.
Within the fundamental event of UFC 319, Chimaev completely dominated Dricus Du Plessis who had previously been undefeated contained in the octagon. He hardly lost an exchange, much less a round or the fight itself, and it appears that evidently the important thing to even troubling the champion is a powerful jiu-jitsu guard.
Joe Rogan believes that Reinier De Ridder, one half of the UFC Vancouver fundamental event, may very well be that man if he can get past Brendan Allen.
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Joe Rogan backs Reinier De Ridder to return closest to beating Khamzat Chimaev
While no one is predicting that anyone will beat Khamzat Chimaev in the meanwhile, there must be a discussion about who has the most effective opportunity. That took place immediately after UFC 319 on the ESPN broadcast when Rogan chatted with Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier.
“Reinier de Ridder, specifically, given his ability to grapple on the bottom, and likewise his ability to land shots standing,” Rogan said while discussing Chimaev’s list of potential opponents.
“Particularly that knee he lands. That’s nasty… Toughness, experience, he throws those combos with that long lead-in knee. He’s interesting.”
Luke Rockhold, a former middleweight champion in his own right, concurred with the opinion in the next days. He told Bloody Elbow: “Well who can wrestle? De Ridder, yeah, he may very well be tough, he may very well be an issue for Khamzat.
“I don’t like to provide him much credit because he’s not that good but I still think a man like Paulo Costa would pose problems.
“His wrestling defence is just not bad and have a look at what he did against Yoel Romero, regardless that Romero doesn’t keep on with his wrestling but he was in a position to defend loads of takedowns. But in point of fact, I like De Ridder. He’s probably the primary alternative for this thing, needless to say.”