Joe Rogan recently shared his thoughts on why some of the most Scariest UFC fighters come from war-torn regions like Chechnya and Dagestan. On an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan discussed how the brutal realities of life in these areas shape individuals into some of the toughest competitors in the sport.
The hardships faced by people in these regions are not only physical but also mental. Surviving such an environment demands resilience and strength, qualities that are essential for success in the UFC. Fighters who come from places that have seen war are often more hardened than their peers, making them dangerous opponents in the octagon.
Fighters from Chechnya
Some of the UFC’s biggest names hail from these war-impacted areas. Fighters like Islam Makhachev, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Khamzat Chimaev are all products of these regions. Their tough upbringing has cultivated a fierce determination and unshakable resolve that they bring into the octagon.
“I mean it’s not it’s not a coincidence that some of the scariest people live in war torn parts of the world sure like the fighters that come to the UFC. The scariest are like the guys from Chechnya like you know guys from Dagestan like those guys are terrifying? why well look at the history of that part of the world you know, I mean you have to be a hard person to survive right yeah.”
The environment in which these fighters are raised plays a huge role in shaping their character. It’s not just about fighting skills; it’s about a mindset built on surviving extreme adversity. This mental toughness translates directly into their performances in the cage, giving them an edge over many of their competitors.
Khamzat Chimaev a Rising Force in the UFC
One fighter who has caught Rogan’s attention is Khamzat Chimaev. Known for his exceptional wrestling and relentless pressure, Chimaev has made waves in the UFC, especially after his dominant performance against former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. His ability to finish fights quickly and efficiently has made him one of the most dangerous competitors in the division.
“Dricus [Du Plessis] can wrestle, he’s got very good Jiu-Jitsu he hits hard and he’s a big durable dude. But I don’t know if he’s going to be able to wrestle with that guy. Like I don’t know man the Khamzat [Chimaev] skill is so high level it makes me wonder it’s some guys like you see it in Jiu-Jitsu, there’s some guys that look really good until they fight somebody who’s really really good and then they get manhandled.
“It’s like everybody looks good until they face Gordon Ryan like Gordon Ryan can do that to any anybody. Like is Khamza at that level well it kind of appears that he is it appears that he’s in terms of like the grappling that he possesses seems magnitudes greater than anybody else in his division.”
Chimaev’s skills have left many wondering how anyone could stand up to his aggressive style. His wrestling is top-tier, and his relentless pace often overwhelms his opponents before they can find any rhythm. This makes him a significant challenge for any fighter in the middleweight class.
Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev: A Tough Matchup
When it comes to a potential fight between Chimaev and Dricus Du Plessis, there are questions about how Du Plessis would handle Chimaev’s high-level wrestling. While Du Plessis is a tough fighter, Chimaev’s intensity and grappling skills make him a serious threat in any matchup.
For Rogan, Chimaev’s combination of physical dominance and mental fortitude makes him one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC today.
