Khamzat Chimaev News

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.

Curtis Calhoun - March 5, 2026

A former UFC middleweight champion says Khamzat Chimaev’s days as the division’s champion could be numbered due to a staggering gain. UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev’s first title defense still hasn’t been finalized more than half a year after his championship victory. Chimaev dethroned Dricus du Plessis by unanimous decision at UFC 319 last year, utilizing his elite wrestling to pitch a shutout inside the Octagon.

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.

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.

Cole Shelton - February 26, 2026

Nassourdine Imavov is waiting on Khamzat Chimaev. Imavov is the No. 1 contender at middleweight and is holding out for a title shot. Yet, no fight has been booked, and that is because Chimaev suffered an injury.

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 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.

Curtis Calhoun - February 23, 2026

Coach Eric Nicksick weighed in on gym rumors surrounding Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev’s past sparring sessions. Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is on the verge of potentially earning another title shot after defeating Anthony Hernandez last weekend.

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.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 17, 2026

Khamzat Chimaev’s coach is taking critics of the UFC Middleweight Champion to task. Chimaev has been undefeated in his pro MMA career thus far. He turned in a grappling clinic with nearly 22 minutes of control time against Dricus du Plessis. Many anticipated that du Plessis would be able to create scrambles at least early on, but he didn’t have an answer.

Harry Kettle - February 17, 2026

UFC legend Kamaru Usman has revealed how he would approach a Khamzat Chimaev rematch if they ever fought again. As we know, Kamaru Usman is very much in the twilight of his mixed martial arts career. He has made it crystal clear that he wants to ride off into the sunset sooner rather than later, but before he does, he wants to win not one, but two titles at both welterweight and middleweight.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 15, 2026

Dricus du Plessis believes he can put forth a far better effort against Khamzat Chimaev in a rematch. Chimaev turned in a dominant performance against du Plessis back in Aug. 2025. “Borz” had nearly 22 minutes of control time on his way to a unanimous decision and the UFC middleweight title. It was a wipeout and many questioned who can give Chimaev a run for his money at 185 pounds.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 13, 2026

Sean Strickland believes he’s got the best shot to take the UFC Middleweight Championship from Khamzat Chimaev. Strickland may have dropped two bouts against Dricus du Plessis, but he feels he could give Chimaev some problems with his fighting style. Talking to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Strickland said that he’d have a better chance of dethroning “Borz” than his UFC Houston opponent Anthony Hernandez (h/t MMAFighting).

Harry Kettle - February 3, 2026

UFC legend Kamaru Usman has argued that there’s a chance Khamzat Chimaev has outgrown the middleweight division. Right now, Khamzat Chimaev is sat at the top of the middleweight division as the champion following his win over Dricus du Plessis. His future, however, isn’t quite as certain, with many fans speculating that he’s going to shift up to light heavyweight – which is something that ‘Borz’ himself has heavily teased.

Harry Kettle - January 30, 2026

Sean Strickland’s coach Eric Nicksick has given his thoughts on his student’s wrestling ahead of his next fight. In his next outing, Sean Strickland will go head to head with the in-form Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Houston. It has the potential to be one of the best middleweight fights of the year, but as we know, Sean can be a bit hot and cold when it comes to the drama of his fights and the style he implements.