Khamzat Chimaev to Defend UFC Title Before Chasing Light Heavyweight Gold

BREAKING: UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has just revealed his plans to defend his title before pursuing a second championship in the light heavyweight division. In an exclusive interview with ESPN, Chimaev, who boasts an undefeated record of 15-0, confirmed that he aims for a title defense following the Muslim holiday of Ramadan in March 2024.

Chimaev’s last fight saw him claim the middleweight title in a commanding victory against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 in August. Now, he is eager to face a challenger before making the jump to the 205-pound division. “These [middleweight] 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.”

The current frontrunner for Chimaev’s middleweight title defense appears to be Nassourdine Imavov (17-4), though Chimaev expressed reluctance to fight someone he has trained with and considers a friend. However, he is open to the matchup if both Imavov and the UFC are interested. Another potential opponent is the winner of the upcoming fight between former champion Sean Strickland and Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez, scheduled for February.

Chimaev’s ultimate ambition lies in a showdown with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira (13-3), who is also a major star in the sport. Pereira has indicated his desire to move up in weight in 2026 for a super fight against former champion Jon Jones. Chimaev is determined to face Pereira soon, stating, “That’s a good fight for me. Everyone knows that. The UFC knows that.”

The stakes are high as Chimaev seeks to solidify his legacy in the UFC, and fans eagerly await his next move. With the potential for lucrative matchups on the horizon, the excitement around Chimaev’s career continues to grow. Keep an eye on upcoming announcements as the timeline for his title defense approaches rapidly.

As Chimaev prepares for this critical stage in his career, the MMA community buzzes with anticipation. Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops, and join the conversation about what this means for the future of the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.