Video: Khamzat Chimaev and Luke Rockhold Throw Down In BJJ Match
UFC star Khamzat Chimaev and former middleweight titleholder Luke Rockhold clashed on the mats ahead of Chimaev’s return to the Octagon.
Chimaev will face former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the UFC 308 co-main event next month. He returns to the Octagon against Whittaker after the two were supposed to headline UFC Saudi Arabia earlier this summer before Chimaev withdrew due to illness.
Chimaev, despite a recent injury scare ahead of UFC 308, is looking sharp ahead of his return. He’s already shared parts of his ferocious training regimen before the event and aims to make a statement.
Khamzat Chimaev and Rockhold have trained together ahead of UFC 308. The two elite athletes squared off in a friendly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu match in the gym, and Chimaev smothered the former champion.
Khamzat Chimaev Trains With Luke Rockhold Ahead Of UFC 308
Watch Chimaev and Rockhold’s impromptu grappling match below.
Rockhold hasn’t fought in MMA since a loss to Paulo Costa at UFC 278. After parting ways with the UFC, he competed in the Karate Combat pit and Bare Knuckle FC ring.
As for Khamzat Chimaev , he’s looking to keep his positive momentum after an unbeaten run inside the Octagon. He’s looking ahead to a middleweight comeback after defeating Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 last year.
Chimaev is inarguably one of the UFC’s most promising stars for the future of the promotion. But he’s failed to back up his talent with his activities, dealing with various health issues in recent years.
A win over Whittaker at UFC 308 could potentially be enough for Chimaev to earn a middleweight title shot. UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis is expected to face Sean Strickland for his next title defense.
Chimaev is leaving no stone unturned ahead of his highly-anticipated UFC comeback. As for Rockhold, he got to see first-hand the headaches that Chimaev deals out on the mats.
