After his loss to Sean Strickland, Chimaev is relying on Jon Jones’ experience to reclaim the top of the UFC middleweight division.

Incredible but true: Khamzat Chimaev, one of the most feared fighters in the UFC, faced an unexpected turning point in his last fight. Against Sean Strickland, he suffered his first career loss, thus losing his middleweight title. A result that surprised more than one fan and analyst of the sport.

Yet, this defeat has not scared the Russian. On the contrary, it seems to have accelerated his quest for improvement. And who better to help him than Jon Jones, one of the greatest legends of the UFC? The undisputed champion has shared his valuable advice with Chimaev, emphasizing two key aspects: endurance and ground game.

The Importance of Endurance in the Rebuild

Jon Jones, known for his legendary endurance, has repeatedly stressed the importance of this quality in an UFC fight. For Chimaev, who has often dominated his opponents with aggression and power, this weakness could well be the breaking point. Indeed, in his clash against Strickland, endurance played a crucial role, allowing the American to last until the judges’ decision.

Jones likely insisted on specific training methods to improve Chimaev’s physical stamina. Intense cardio sessions, prolonged fight simulations, or optimized recovery exercises could all be part of his new program.

Ground Game: An Asset to Exploit

Another critical point raised by Jones: the ground game. While Chimaev is renowned for his striking skills, his grappling remains improvable. A weakness that Strickland was able to exploit, thus limiting the Russian’s options in close combat.

Training with Jon Jones, the undisputed master of grappling, represents a unique opportunity for Chimaev. The latter could thus develop a more balanced strategy, capable of surprising his future opponents. Imagine a Chimaev who can dominate both on his feet and on the ground: a nightmare for any middleweight title contender!