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MMA
Kamaru Usman: Khamzat Chimaev needs real MMA head coach
TL;DR
Kamaru Usman believes Khamzat Chimaev needs a real MMA head coach after his recent loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 328. Usman emphasizes that Chimaev's self-training may not be enough for him to reach the next level in his career.
Key points
- Khamzat Chimaev lost to Sean Strickland at UFC 328
- Usman questions Chimaev's training strategy
- Chimaev primarily trains himself without a renowned MMA coach
- Usman believes a head coach could elevate Chimaev's performance
- Tsarukyan was active in Chimaev's corner during the fight
Kamaru UsmanKhamzat ChimaevSean StricklandArman Tsarukyan
Kamaru Usman is questioning Khamzat Chimaev’s training strategy.
Chimaev (15-1) lost his middleweight title to Sean Strickland (31-7) via a narrow split decision at UFC 328 last weekend. Chimaev was visibly tired in the second round, and despite finding a second wind in the fourth, it was too little, too late from “Borz.”
Usman, who has shared the Octagon with Chimaev, believes the latter needs an MMA head coach. While Chimaev certainly has coaches who are a regular presence in his corner, he doesn’t train with any renowned MMA coach. Chimaev’s friend, UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan, was seen taking an active role in his corner last weekend. Usman believes Chimaev has gotten this far by training himself for the most part. According to Usman, Chimaev needs a head coach to reach the next level.
How to Reach the Next Level
“I’m impressed by how far he’s gotten by just really training himself,” Chimaev said on the ”Pound4Pound” podcast. “Because in there between rounds, who’s his coach? Who’s giving him sound instructions?... [Arman Tsarukyan], a fighter still trying to make his way to the title, was your head coach? Who’s your striking coach? Who’s your MMA coach?... What’s missing is just that person that you respect to the utmost degree... A bond between Khamzat and finding a coach that can put that together could take Khamzat to the next level.”
Chimaev trains strength and conditioning under coach Sam Calavitta at the Treigning Lab in California. Chimaev can be seen doing gruelling workouts with a team that is not limited to MMA fighters. However, many have started doubting the effectiveness of “Coach Cal’s” training regimen for fighters since Chimaev’s loss against Strickland. UFC veteran Cub Swanson had raised questions about the same long back, wondering how back-breaking S&C applies to MMA.
Q&A
Why does Kamaru Usman think Khamzat Chimaev needs a head coach?
Usman believes Chimaev has reached his current level primarily by training himself and lacks a renowned MMA coach to provide critical guidance during fights.
What happened in Khamzat Chimaev's fight at UFC 328?
Chimaev lost his middleweight title to Sean Strickland via a narrow split decision and showed signs of fatigue during the match.
Who was in Khamzat Chimaev's corner during UFC 328?
Arman Tsarukyan, a UFC lightweight fighter, was seen taking an active role in Chimaev's corner during the fight.