Khamzat Chimaev’s recent victory at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi saw him defeat Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision. Chimaev’s exceptional wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) skills were on full display as he executed multiple takedowns and even came close to securing various choke submissions during the bout.
Following this impressive victory, Khamzat Chimaev’s BJJ instructor, Alan ‘Finfou’ Nascimento, recognized his prowess in the art and decided to promote him to the esteemed rank of brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The promotion to a brown belt in BJJ is a significant milestone, signifying a high level of proficiency in advanced techniques and solid grappling skills. Typically, it takes between 6 to 8 years of dedicated training to achieve this rank. However, Chimaev’s focused dedication to grappling and ground fighting has expedited his progress. Notably, his victory over Kamaru Usman, a black belt in BJJ and former UFC welterweight champion, demonstrates his exceptional skill and knowledge of throws, sweeps, joint locks, and chokes.
With his elite wrestling and submission skills, Khamzat Chimaev’s attainment of a BJJ brown belt further solidifies his position as a formidable mixed martial artist.
In a post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier, Chimaev expressed the significance of this accomplishment, stating, “This means so much to me.”
Alan Finfou, Chimaev’s BJJ instructor, emphasized that Khamzat is helping shed light on the issue of counterfeit BJJ black belts in the world of MMA. He noted that many individuals attain black belts without deserving them, and Chimaev’s journey serves as a means to expose such inconsistencies.
Khamzat Chimaev has now defeated five BJJ black belts in the UFC, a remarkable feat. His victories over Gerald Meerschaert, Li Jingliang, Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland, and Kamaru Usman highlight his exceptional skills. While Gilbert Burns presented a formidable challenge, landing 119 punches, the other five fighters collectively landed only one strike, underscoring Chimaev’s dominance.
All of these fighters have notable accomplishments in both MMA and BJJ, with Meerschaert boasting 27 submissions, Jingliang with 4 submissions, Burns with 8 submissions, and Holland with 6 submissions in their respective careers.
Alan Finfou has previously expressed concerns about the commercialization of BJJ belts, suggesting that the significance of earning a black belt has diminished over time. He believes this issue is not limited to Brazil but is prevalent worldwide. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining the integrity of the sport and distinguishing between genuine black belts and those awarded without merit.
