When you think of the most terrifying fighter in the UFC today, one name usually comes to mind: Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev. But according to a panel of seasoned fighters on the new Paramount+ show Deep Waters, the real boogeyman might be someone else entirely.
Chimaev, the reigning UFC Middleweight champion, is set to defend his title for the first time this Saturday (May 9, 2026) at UFC 328. He'll face bitter rival Sean Strickland in the main event at Newark's Prudential Center. Since bursting onto the scene, Chimaev has built a reputation as one of the most dominant—and feared—fighters on the roster. His early run of quick finishes, including a jaw-breaking stoppage of Robert Whittaker, cemented his status as a force to be reckoned with.
But his most recent performance—a dominant yet cautious title win—has left some fans and fighters questioning whether he's still the scariest man in the octagon.
On Deep Waters, hosted by Din Thomas and featuring UFC legends Jorge Masvidal, Dustin Poirier, and Chris Weidman, the conversation turned to who truly deserves the title of "scariest fighter." Masvidal didn't hesitate to name his picks.
"Nah, I'd say the scariest guy right now is Ilia Topuria or Carlos Prates," Masvidal said. "You're going to sniff me, dude, for 15 minutes and not even throw a shot?"
Thomas clarified that he meant the kind of fear that hits you when you lock eyes with your opponent across the cage. Masvidal doubled down, explaining what makes those fighters so terrifying.
"I look at a guy like Carlos or Ilia and I go, that's scary because I know if I slip up tonight, I'm going to be looking up at the lights, thinking what the f—k just happened," Masvidal continued. "That's scary. You bring a pillow when you fight those guys. You bring a Plan B pill when you fight Khamzat."
It's a bold take, but one that highlights the evolving landscape of UFC's most feared competitors. While Chimaev's wrestling-heavy approach can neutralize opponents, fighters like Topuria and Prates bring a knockout threat that keeps opponents on edge every second.
With UFC 328 just days away, "Borz" has the perfect opportunity to remind everyone why he earned that fearsome reputation in the first place. Whether he delivers a statement or plays it safe again, one thing is clear: the debate over who's the scariest fighter in the UFC is far from settled.