UFC star Khamzat Chimaev is not an easy person to train, according to Caio Borralho.
Brazilian Borralho is one of the fastest-rising contenders in the UFC middleweight division, having cracked the division’s top 10 with a decision win over former title challenger Jared Cannonier at UFC on ESPN 62 on Saturday in Las Vegas. It was his 14th straight victory.
Borralho’s success is no surprise, given the quality of his coaching: the Brazilian has spent time training with the likes of Chimaev and Sean Strickland in recent years.
Chimaev is undefeated in MMA, with smothering wrestling, fluid submissions and ferocious punching power. Strickland, meanwhile, is the former UFC middleweight champion and remains one of the best fighters in the division.
Both Chimaev and Strickland are known for their intensity during sparring sessions, but according to Borralho, Chimaev is the more difficult person to face in training.
“Oh man, for sure the hardest guy to train is Khamzat,” Borralho said. The Schmo (via MMA Madness). “He’s a very difficult guy to train. His style, his wrestling background… he’s very good at wrestling. He goes all out in every round. I think it’s one of the hardest workouts to do.”
“I trained with Sean Strickland, [Chris Curtis]“They’re very tough guys and they train hard. Training with Sean Strickland is also very tough because he’s always pushing you forward like he’s screaming in your face. But I think Khamzat is the toughest guy to train with, for sure. But he’s the guy I develop the most with.”
Chimaev, who was born in Chechnya but now represents Saudi Arabia, is set to make his return to the cage against former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker on October 26. The fight was originally scheduled to take place in June, but was postponed due to a recurring illness that has plagued him for the past few years. His last fight was in October 2023, when he defeated former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in a short-notice bout.
Strickland last fought in June, when he defeated Paulo Costa by decision. The win separated him from a decision loss in January to Dricus Du Plessis, which marked the end of his championship reign. He is expected to face Du Plessis again for the title next time out.
If he continues to win, Borralho could also be competing again soon.
