UFC champ Khamzat Chimaev is ‘beatable’ and ‘knows that,’ says training partner

UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has never experienced a loss in MMA, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

That’s according to his frequent training partner, Darren Till.

Chimaev, 15-0, has been one of the most dominant forces in the UFC since he joined the roster in 2020. His time in the promotion reached new heights last year, when he dominated Dricus Du Plessis to claim the middleweight belt.

On May 9, in the main event of UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey, Chimaev will attempt to defend his title for the first time. His opponent will be trash-talking former champion Sean Strickland.

Ahead of the matchup, most believe Chimaev will beat Strickland, though many believe Strickland has a solid chance of springing the upset.

That seems to be Till’s perception. As someone who has spent plenty of time in the training room with Chimaev, it’s an interesting take.

Darren Till: Khamzat Chimaev can be beaten in the UFC

🤔 Darren Till says Sean Strickland has the best chances at beating Khamzat Chimaev in the Middleweight division:

“Anyone’s beatable. Khamzat knows that himself, that’s why he trains so hard, he is not stupid.

I don’t see anyone beating him, but maybe Sean has got the best… pic.twitter.com/9h91VTddER

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) April 30, 2026

“Anyone’s beatable,” Till said in an interview with Full Mount MMA. “[Chimaev] knows that himself. That’s why he trains so hard. He’s not stupid. Right now, with the current state of the middleweight division, I don’t see anyone beating him. Sean’s probably got the chance if that, but in this era now, I think he’s going to be dominant.”

While Till believes Strickland has the best chance of any current middleweight to beat Chimaev, he also gives Brazilian bruiser Paulo Costa a small chance.

“Paulo Costa’s a good fight, because Paulo’s big and strong,” he said. “I do like that fight as well, I know there’s a big beef there.

“I think for me the fight that waters my mouth the most is the Sean Strickland fight, and obviously we’re getting that now.”

Do you think anybody will be able to solve the Khamzat Chimaev puzzle in the UFC? Could Sean Strickland be the one to do it at UFC 328? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.