Daniel Cormier: 'Khamzat Chimaev should be fighting for the belt next'

Former middleweight champion Sean Strickland and titleholder Dricus du Plessis were expected to rematch in the next UFC 185-pound title bout, but that may have changed after UFC 308.  

Undefeated Khamzat Chimaev made quick work of former champion Robert Whittaker in the UFC 308 co-main event, breaking Whittaker’s jaw with a face crank in the first round.  Former two-division champion Daniel Cormier believes Chimaev should be fighting du Plessis for the championship next instead of Strickland.  

“Khamzat Chimaev earned himself a title shot, or at least he should have,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel.  “He submitted Robert Whittaker in the first round.  

“First round.  Went across the octagon, double-legged him, took him down, choke him, and broke his jaw.  Broke his jaw with a squeeze from a rear-naked choke,” Cormier continued.  “It was nuts to see him do that to a guy that was the generation before him, was one of the guys.”

“Robert Whittaker for a long time has been one of the guys.  When he wasn’t the champion he was ranked No. 1, or No. 2.  Chimaev is ranked 12 right now.  He went and beat him in the first round.”

Cormier believes Chimaev’s performance at UFC 308 should have former champion Sean Strickland worried.  

“If you’re Sean Strickland, that result worries you.  Why?  Because (UFC matchmaker) Mick Maynard is sitting next to me and jumps up and runs to Dana and they start talking to Hunter (Campbell).  Dana immediately runs over to Chimaev and talks to him,” Cormier said.  “That’s scary for a guy that’s considered the No. 1 contender because that tells you things are happening.”

“Khamzat, to me, solidified himself as the No. 1 contender at 185 pounds,” Cormier continued.  “Khamzat Chimaev should be fighting for the belt next.  He really should.”