Khamzat Chimaev News

BJ Penn Staff - March 31, 2026

Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson is used to being the smaller man in a lot of his sparring sessions. However, it’s not often we see him dwarfed by a training partner like he was during a recent meet-up with Khamzat Chimaev. Johnson, who will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer, lined up with reigning middleweight champ Chimaev at Santo Studios in California. As expected, they hit the mats for some training together. The size difference between them was quite stark—then again, it’s not often you see a natural flyweight and a very big middleweight side by side.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 26, 2026

Israel Adesanya wouldn’t be surprised if Sean Strickland can pull of a big upset over Khamzat Chimaev. Strickland will challenge Chimaev for the middleweight title on May 9 in the UFC 328 main event in Newark. While some felt Nassourdine Imavov would be the rightful No. 1 contender, Strickland leapfrogged the competition with his second-round TKO finish over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston back in February.

Harry Kettle - March 23, 2026

UFC analyst Din Thomas has given his thoughts on the upcoming title fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland. In the main event of UFC 328, Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland will battle for the UFC middleweight championship. While Khamzat is considered to be the favorite by many, there is no denying that Sean has the skills necessary to cause him some problems – especially if the fight stays standing for a long period of time.

Curtis Calhoun - March 19, 2026

One of Sean Strickland’s longtime detractors didn’t hold back on the former UFC middleweight champ getting a UFC 328 title shot. UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev will look to begin his title reign on a positive note when he squares off with former titleholder Sean Strickland at UFC 328. Chimaev vs. Strickland headlines an intriguing card in Newark, featuring two middleweights who have been on each other’s nerves for months.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 13, 2026

Sean Strickland is set to challenge Khamzat Chimaev for the UFC Middleweight Championship, and Jorge Masvidal thinks there will be a new titleholder. Chimaev vs. Strickland is scheduled to headline UFC 328 in Newark on May 9. The title fight was booked after Strickland turned in a stellar performance in his second-round TKO finish over Anthony Hernandez. While Nassourdine Imavov had been thought of to be a prime candidate for a title shot, Strickland’s showing at UFC Houston and popularity earned him the fight.

Curtis Calhoun - March 12, 2026

UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev will return to the Octagon sooner than expected, and Nassourdine Imavov won’t be his opponent. Khamzat Chimaev publicly teased a move to the light heavyweight division just months after winning the UFC middleweight title at UFC 319 over Dricus du Plessis. Chimaev, unbeaten in his professional MMA career, dominantly won the belt over Du Plessis in his latest 185-lb appearance.

Dylan Bowker - March 11, 2026

Khamzat Chimaev does not stand out as a particularly impressive mixed martial artist to a former BMF champion who feels like Sean Strickland would have the skills to unseat ‘Borz’ from his throne if that fight gets booked. Jorge Masvidal was the ex-BMF titleholder in question, and the inaugural champ discussed this on the show that he regularly hosts, Death Row MMA. From that recent DRMMA podcast segment, with an excerpt posted to X account @RedCorner_MMA, Masvidal said,

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 10, 2026

Sean Strickland continues to stoke the flames in his heated war of words with UFC Middleweight Champion Khamzat Chimaev. Strickland is fresh off a highlight reel finish over Anthony Hernandez in the UFC Houston headliner. The second-round TKO victory left many wondering if Strickland had done enough to shoot up to No. 1 contender status. Strickland is a former 185-pound titleholder, and he’s pounding the table for another championship fight.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 5, 2026

Sean Strickland is getting some support from a former foe, who believes he’s got a shot at dethroning Khamzat Chimaev. While Nassourdine Imavov made a case to receive a UFC Middleweight Championship opportunity by extending his winning streak to five after defeating Caio Borralho, Strickland has regained momentum. In the main event of UFC Houston, Strickland crumbled Hernandez with a knee to the body and some follow-up punches to seal the second-round TKO finish.

Curtis Calhoun - March 2, 2026

UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev wanted to continue Arman Tsarukyan’s RAF 6 brawl hours after the event. UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan was at the center of a new controversy last weekend at Real American Freestyle 6.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 2, 2026

Brendan Schaub believes a UFC middleweight title fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland is too good to pass on. Strickland recently turned in a stellar performance against Anthony Hernandez in the UFC Houston headliner. A perfectly timed knee to the body, followed by a barrage of punches led to a TKO finish for the former 185-pound champion. It was such a highly regarded showing that some are calling for Strickland to be the first challenger for Chimaev’s middleweight gold.

Harry Kettle - March 2, 2026

UFC champion Khamzat Chimaev has called out Colby Covington, and he’s also provided an update on his next fight. It’s safe to say that Khamzat Chimaev is enjoying himself on social media these days. Whether it is at the expense of his fellow fighters or the fans, he likes winding people up, and you’d have to say that he’s getting quite good at it. Alas, what we really want is for him to get a fight booked, with Nassourdine Imavov seemingly being the leading contender – alongside Sean Strickland who recently defeated Anthony Hernandez.

Curtis Calhoun - February 25, 2026

UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier believes Khamzat Chimaev would fit like a glove in the UFC’s light heavyweight division if he makes the move. UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev eyes a potential second world title before defending his current 185-pound belt.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 25, 2026

If Alex Pereira passes on the idea of fighting Khamzat Chimaev, then “Borz’s” team wouldn’t be surprised. Chimaev has yet to defend the UFC Middleweight Championship, but that hasn’t stopped him from calling for a fight with Pereira. “Poatan” currently holds the light heavyweight gold. Chimaev and Pereira have traded barbs on social media, but UFC CEO Dana White told reporters that he’d rather see the 185-pound title be defended next.

Harry Kettle - February 25, 2026

Sean Strickland’s coach Eric Nicksick has given his thoughts on their potential gameplan for a fight against Khamzat Chimaev. As we know, Sean Strickland is riding high in the wake of his triumph over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston. In the eyes of many, this sets us up for a title fight between him and Khamzat Chimaev – but given the presence of Nassourdine Imavov as another possible contender, that may not end up being the case.

Harry Kettle - February 24, 2026

Sean Strickland has given his thoughts on Khamzat Chimaev potentially making the move up to the light heavyweight division. As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is the current UFC middleweight champion. Many had been expecting him to become champion for years, but now that he is, there’s a real sense of fear in the air about how active he’s going to be with the gold around his waist.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 22, 2026

Dana White has responded to Khamzat Chimaev pushing for a fight with UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira. Chimaev is the current middleweight titleholder. He captured the gold thanks to a suffocating performance against Dricus du Plessis back in Aug. 2025. “Borz” hasn’t fought since the championship win, but he’s displayed more interest in a 205-pound bout than a 185-pound title defense.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 22, 2026

Khamzat Chimaev is taking aim at Sean Strickland in the aftermath of UFC Houston. Strickland had some words for the UFC Middleweight Champion going into Saturday’s showdown with Anthony Hernandez. In an interview with Newsweek Sports, Strickland blasted Chimaev for focusing more on Alex Pereira than making his first title defense.