Khamzat Chimaev has opened up about the pressures of staying undefeated in the UFC. He believes some fighters focus too much on their professional records, which can become distracting. Ahead of UFC 328's bout against Sean Strickland, we look back at Chimaev's rise to the Belt.

Chimaev's Rise to Middleweight Champ

Chimaev, 31, captured the middleweight championship at UFC 319. He earned a dominant unanimous decision win over Dricus du Plessis to remain undefeated. The win marked his ninth win inside the octagon and improved his professional record to 16-0.

Undefeated UFC fighters have always drawn special attention. Jon Jones, whose only loss is a disqualification, and Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired undefeated, stand out. Their records have become major promotional tools, driving interest in their respective UFC fights.

Chimaev's Mindset: "If You Think About the Loss Too Much, You're Gonna Lose"

Despite growing expectations, Chimaev refuses to dwell on his unblemished record. Speaking with JAXXON PODCAST, "Borz" said wins and losses don't define him. He believes doing his best matters more than protecting a perfect record.

Chimaev acknowledged that losing is always a possibility, but it doesn't shake the confidence he has in himself.

"Other fighters think about [their undefeated records]. I had some friends, they were undefeated, they lost. Some of them were thinking, 'I had a zero, I have to keep it.' I don't care about it," Chimaev said. "The good thing is, you stay there and do your best and [that's] the best thing you can do. If you think about the loss too much, you're gonna lose. I like to think about only winning, I never think about [losing]. If it happens, it's God's will."

What Sets Chimaev Apart

Chimaev's mindset goes beyond his record. His fearless approach and willingness to fight anyone regardless of weight class has helped fast-track his rise. He has fought in and won fights at welterweight and middleweight.

On the JAXXON PODCAST, Chimaev explained his love for fighting pushes him forward. The UFC middleweight champion stays true to his authentic self and finds joy in staying active.

"I wanna fight more than anyone, so that's the [difference] between some guys," Chimaev said. "Someone is crying, someone is scared, and they have different emotions. But, for me, the normal thing all my life is that I train hard and fight hard. For me, I'm happy to be there and fight."

Chimaev Grateful for Praise from "Rampage" Jackson

Chimaev's high-level wrestling, which has been a factor in him remaining undefeated, has gained praise from the MMA world. Among them is former UFC star Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, who co-hosts JAXXON PODCAST.

During the interview, Jackson's co-host Bear Degidio shared high praise from the MMA legend. He said Chimaev's raw strength and wrestling makes it incredibly hard for opponents to take him down.

Chimaev responded with gratitude and humility.

"All of us [fighters] felt like [we're] stronger than anyone, ever since I was a kid," Chimaev said. "It's good to hear stuff from the legends and other guys who has been starting with MMA. [Jackson] is one of the legends in the sport. Good to hear."

Chimaev Signs with Real American Freestyle

Chimaev has recently signed a deal to compete under the RAF banner. His debut with the organization is expected to come after he defends his UFC middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 328. The move has sparked speculation about potential matchups against elite wrestlers, including Olympic gold medalists Kyle Snyder and Abdulrashid Sadulaev, as well as fellow UFC middleweight Bo Nickal.

Sonnen: "Chimaev Will Take On Anybody"

Speaking on his YouTube channel, former UFC star Chael Sonnen said Chimaev's mindset sets him apart from most champions in combat sports.

"Let me share something behind the scenes that I know, that I have access to: Chimaev will take on anybody," Sonnen said. "And it's very difficult to find somebody like that. To find a reigning sitting world champion who doesn't need the money, doesn't need the attention. To find somebody that likes to compete so much that he is going into a different organization just for the chance to shake hands and compete. Behind the scenes, I can tell you, Chimaev will take on anybody."

Among the possible matchups, Sonnen pointed specifically to a clash with rising UFC contender Bo Nickal as one that intrigues him.

Sonnen added that Chimaev's approach reflects a traditional wrestling mentality, where competitors face whoever steps onto the mat, regardless of reputation or stylistic challenges.

"The history of wrestling says you show up, you get on the scale, and you take on whoever else showed up and got on the scale," Sonnen said. "It turns out, Chimaev's that guy. And Chimaev understands the code."

Will Chimaev stay undefeated? Make your UFC 328 fantasy picks for free with Fight Realm and win cash.