Is a trilogy bout between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev truly what the boxing world needs? If you ask Khamzat Chimaev, he has an interesting perspective on the situation. ‘Borz’ is currently preparing for his upcoming UFC 319 clash against middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis. So, why would one of MMA’s most feared warriors hesitate when it comes to violence?

For a man built on combat, you’d think another war between two boxing giants would be music to his ears. Yet, his answer was full of conflict. Maybe it’s respect. Maybe it’s something deeper. Let’s take a look at what the Chechen juggernaut had to say!

Khamzat Chimaev reveals interesting perspective on Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev III

During a recent appearance on the ‘Hustle Show’ with Adam Zubayraev and Tambi Masaev, Khamzat Chimaev was asked a simple question: “Khamzat, Bivol/Beterbiev third fight, do you think it’s needed?”

He paused for a second before confessing, “I don’t know, both are very worthy guys. In life and in sports, for today’s youth, how they showed boxing and life it’s very necessary. Very worthy guys.”

If you’ve followed boxing in the past year, you’ve felt the tremors. Bivol and Beterbiev aren’t just names; they’re forces of nature. Their first fight in 2024 was a storm, a close decision win for Artur Beterbiev that crowned him the undisputed king of the light heavyweight jungle. And though Bivol landed more, Beterbiev’s brute strength stole the show in the championship rounds. The boxing world argued and debated the decision in the aftermath, but the belts stayed with the older man.

Then came the rematch with the fabled ‘The Last Crescendo’. This time, in Riyadh, under the lights of the Kingdom Arena, Dmitry Bivol wrote a different script. With blinding speed and his infamous jab, he dissected his opponent over 12 rounds. The myth of Beterbiev’s invincibility cracked. The 12-year unbeaten streak? Gone. It was an exclamation mark on a rivalry that had already reached legendary status. And now? All signs point toward a third and final chapter!

As such, Chimaev further shared, “Of course, as an athlete, I’d like to watch. But I wouldn’t want two such people to fight each other.” But here’s the twist: Khamzat Chimaev’s reluctance doesn’t diminish the fight’s value. It amplifies it. His words show us something deeper: that this rivalry has evolved beyond just sport.

Interestingly, Dmitry Bivol may have just made that trilogy even more likely. Despite becoming the undisputed champion just six weeks ago, he gave up his WBC title. Why? To fight Beterbiev again!

Bivol vs. Beterbiev trilogy gets the green light from WBO

WBC boss Mauricio Sulaiman made it official that the 34-year-old undisputed king at light heavyweight is seeking one last battle against his rival Artur Beterbiev. That meant walking away from a mandatory clash with David Benavidez. The undefeated American now wears that WBC crown. But let’s be honest, Benavidez was never the fight Bivol wanted.

Neither was Callum Smith. The Brit, who beat Joshua Buatsi to earn his interim WBO belt, had lined up for his crack at Bivol. It was supposed to be his moment. But the trilogy loomed too large. The WBO saw it too, and in a statement by their President, Gustavo Olivieri, it was revealed, “The WBO Championships Committee has resolved that it is in the best interests of boxing and, most importantly, the fighters themselves to permit the highly anticipated Beterbiev/Bivol Trilogy to proceed as planned.”

So what about the IBF? Oddly quiet. They haven’t enforced a mandatory requirement since 2021. That silence opened the door wider. The WBO, tied behind the IBF in the rotation, had no real power to block Bivol’s plan. And frankly, they didn’t want to.

Olivieri put it plainly, writing, “This ruling underscores the exceptional significance of the Beterbiev/Bivol trilogy.” A matchup, he said, “between two of the sport’s elite competitors.”

So, is this trilogy fight between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev necessary? For fans, it’s a no-brainer. For the sanctioning bodies, it’s a green light. But for Khamzat Chimaev, it’s something more complicated. His hesitation isn’t weakness. It’s reverence. So, what happens when the two warriors collide for the third time? Will Bivol dance to another decision? Or will Beterbiev remind us all why he’s feared? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!