Chimaev Forced To Narrow Down Opponent List For Next UFC Fight

Khamzat Chimaev (15-1) has been forced to trim his list of top UFC middleweights he is calling out for his next fight.

Chimaev hasn’t fought in the UFC since losing the middleweight championship to Sean Strickland by split decision at UFC 328 on May 9. Earlier this month, however, Chimaev said he was ready to face any of the division’s elite, naming Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho.

Borralho responded to the callout and proposed a fight at UFC 334 on November 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

However, Chimaev now says the UFC informed him that Borralho and Du Plessis are both injured, removing them from consideration, and leaving Imavov or a rematch with Strickland as his preferred options.

Chimaev defeated Du Plessis to win the UFC middleweight championship in 2025. He entered his first title defense against Strickland as a heavy favorite, but lost by split decision, suffering the first defeat of his professional career.

UFC CEO Dana White later said he had heard Chimaev was interested in moving up to light heavyweight. Chimaev’s current targets, however, are all middleweights, indicating that he intends to remain at 185 pounds for the time being.