Khamzat Chimaev to Defend Middleweight Title Before Moving Up

UPDATE: UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has confirmed he will defend his title before pursuing a second championship in the light heavyweight division. In an exclusive interview with ESPN on Monday, Chimaev revealed his plans to fight once more after the Muslim holiday of Ramadan in March.

Chimaev, who boasts an undefeated record of 15-0, captured the middleweight title in a dominant performance against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 in August. He expressed that while he finds middleweight fights less exciting, he understands the need to fulfill his obligations as champion. “These fights don’t make me excited, but I need to do my job,” Chimaev stated. “If there is a big name to make more money, then I will be excited.” He highlighted the financial incentives, saying, “If you get $3 million for a fight, but then you have a good opponent and you make $6 million, of course you’ll be excited.”

As of now, the likely contender for Chimaev’s title defense is Nassourdine Imavov (17-4), who he prefers not to fight due to their friendship and past training together. However, Chimaev indicated he would accept the fight if Imavov and the UFC push for it. Another potential matchup could involve the winner of the upcoming bout between former champion Sean Strickland and Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez in February.

Looking ahead, Chimaev’s ultimate goal is to challenge current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira (13-3). Pereira, a fan-favorite, has made it clear he intends to move up in weight as well, eyeing a super fight against former champion Jon Jones in 2026. Chimaev is eager for the opportunity, stating, “That’s a good fight for me. Everyone knows that. The UFC knows that.” He expressed frustration about the UFC’s reluctance to set up the match, emphasizing, “He [Pereira] said he could fight Du Plessis when Du Plessis was the champion, but now he says, ‘Khamzat is not a good fight for me.'”

As fans anticipate these matchups, Chimaev’s plans underscore the dynamic landscape of the UFC and the stakes involved in his next moves. Stay tuned for updates as these developments unfold—this is a story you won’t want to miss!