C. Sonnen presenting his program on YouTube. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
In the co-main fight of UFC 308, Khamzat Shimaev faces Robert whittaker in a clash that could define the next challenger for the UFC middleweight title (up to 84,9 kg). Although he acknowledges that 'Lobo' has made good changes in his preparation, Chael Sonnen believes that this will not be enough to beat the Australian.
The former Middleweight title challenger commented on his YouTube channel about the coaching change Chimaev made during his preparation, which he believes will be beneficial but insufficient against Whittaker.
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“If Chimaev is going back to the coach he had when he was 17, you’re going to see one of the best versions of Chimaev you’ve ever seen. But that’s still the damn thing.” Robert whittaker. He's going to beat you. He's going to hold you up and start beating you up," Sonnen said.
Chimaev small in the middleweights
After failing to make the welterweight division (up to 77 kg) in his fight at UFC 279, the Chechen based in Sweden was forced to move up to middleweight. Although Chimaev has already debuted in the new category, Sonnen said he is still not convinced that this is the ideal division for the 'Wolf' and makes a comparison with the Australian's size.
“I’m not convinced about Chimaev’s size. I know some of you are. You’re saying he’s trying really hard to get down to 84 pounds and that 77 pounds is too far for him. I’m just not convinced about how big he is at middleweight. I know how big Whittaker is; I supported Whittaker moving up to 93 pounds,” the former fighter said.
In his last fight, Chimaev emerged victorious in a middleweight bout. However, he faced the former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, who was making his debut in the division. Khamzat Shimaev faces Robert whittaker in the co-main event of UFC 308, this Saturday (26) in Abu Dhabi.
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