Ramazanov: I have no doubt that Khamzat Chimaev will take the UFC belt this year

"On the one hand, it's no secret that the UFC is the number one league in the world. On the other hand, a little before the title fight between Du Plessis and Strickland, I watched the ACA middleweight championship fight between Magomedrasul Gasanov and Shamil Abdulaev. In my opinion, neither of them would have felt Dricus, much less Sean," Ramazanov noted. "You can hate me, you can write about doping tests (doping control was introduced in the ACA league in 2025 – RG note ), but I can't keep quiet about something if I see it clearly. In terms of skill set, endurance, and all other components, both Gasanov and Abdulaev are superior to the best UFC middleweights. Right now, the only impressive top fighter there is Khamzat Chimaev. In fact, I have no doubt that he will take this belt this year."

The fight between UFC middleweight champion (up to 84 kg) South African Dreekus du Plessis and US representative Sean Strickland lasted all five rounds and ended with du Plessis winning by unanimous decision. After the fight Dreekus announced his desire to meet Khamzat Chimaev.