Khamzat Chimaev News

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.

Curtis Calhoun - January 20, 2026

Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis admits he hit a mental lull during his title loss to Khamzat Chimaev. Khamzat Chimaev put on one of the most dominant performances in the Octagon of 2025 against reigning UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319.

Curtis Calhoun - January 19, 2026

Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis’ previous praise of Khamzat Chimaev didn’t last long after their UFC 319 title fight. Dricus du Plessis was one of several reigning UFC titleholders to lose their belts in 2025.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 14, 2025

Joaquin Buckley has a rather interesting offer for UFC Middleweight Champion Khamzat Chimaev. Buckley is a welterweight contender who has made it clear that he’s not a fan of all the wrestling in MMA. Perhaps that has to do with his unanimous decision loss to former UFC titleholder Kamaru Usman back in June. Buckley had no answer for “The Nigerian Nightmare’s” grappling.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2025

UFC color commentator Joe Rogan has some thoughts on Khamzat Chimaev possibly moving up in weight. Chimaev won the UFC Middleweight Championship back in August. Despite not having a title defense, “Borz” has already discussed possibly moving up to the light heavyweight division. Chimaev’s first title defense hasn’t even been booked yet, but many feel Nassourdine Imavov is the likely No. 1 contender.

Dylan Bowker - December 9, 2025

While Khamzat Chimaev and Nassourdine Imavov both sit in the upper echelon of the UFC middleweight division, a clash between the two does not seem imminent if the former has his say in matters. This was imparted by the reigning UFC middleweight champion during a recent interview with ESPN MMA. An excerpt of the chat was posted by X account @RedCorner_MMA as Khamzat Chimaev addressed the number two contender in the weight category he helms over, with Chimaev saying,

Harry Kettle - December 9, 2025

UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has given his thoughts on who he could take on next in the division. Right now, Khamzat Chimaev is on top of the world. He is the king of the middleweights after dethroning Dricus du Plessis, and many are excited to see what’s next for him. According to the man himself, though, we shouldn’t expect to see him stick around for too much longer at 185 pounds before he ventures up to light heavyweight.

Chris Taylor - November 29, 2025

Khamzat Chimaev appears to have an opponent for his first career UFC title defense. Chimaev (15-0 MMA) captured the promotion’s coveted middleweight title at August’s UFC 319 event in Chicago, earning a lopsided unanimous decision victory over Dricus du Plessis.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 25, 2025

Jon Jones is back in Russia and he had a humorous grappling exchange with UFC Middleweight Champion Khamzat Chimaev. Jones is widely regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, while Chimaev has been building his reputation as being one of the most dominant fighters today. “Bones” and Chimaev have long wanted to meet each other, so naturally, their greeting involved a grappling exchange.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 23, 2025

A well-known MMA personality is lashing out at Ian Machado Garry following an incident with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Qatar. Garry was in action this past Saturday, taking on Belal Muhammad in the UFC Qatar co-main event. “The Future” picked up a big win via unanimous decision. Chimaev was also on the scene in support of Arman Tsarukyan, who submitted Dan Hooker. Backstage, a seemingly tame conversation between Garry and Chimaev turned physical.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 23, 2025

Ian Machado Garry and Khamzat Chimaev have spoken out on their backstage spat at UFC Qatar. Garry competed on the card this past Saturday, defeating Belal Muhammad. Meanwhile, Chimaev was in attendance in support of Arman Tsrukyan, who submitted Dan Hooker.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 17, 2025

Sean O’Malley feels Islam Makhachev can defeat most UFC middleweights, but could he beat the reigning champion? Makhachev further cemented his legacy this past Saturday night in New York City. He moved up in weight to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight gold in the UFC 322 headliner. Makhachev’s grappling once again earned him UFC gold, securing a clear unanimous decision victory.

Curtis Calhoun - November 12, 2025

Tensions are ramping up between UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev and the division’s former titleholder, Alex Pereira. Khamzat Chimaev capped off his meteoric rise with a dominant UFC middleweight title win earlier this year at UFC 319 against Dricus du Plessis. Chimaev smothered Du Plessis with his wrestling and timely striking to dethrone the champion and kick off a new era in the middleweight division.

Dylan Bowker - November 10, 2025

Ikram Aliskerov made a point to clarify that it was a teammate of his who recently won inside the BRAVE CF cage after a playful internet rumor emerged that the fighter was the brother of Khamzat Chimaev. This joke picked up steam from popular combat sports broadcaster, and occasional combatant on circuits like BKFC as well as Karate Combat, Ben Davis. Via his X account @BenTheBaneDavis, he shared footage from a standout finish over the weekend inside the BRAVE CF cage with corresponding text that reads as follows,

Dylan Bowker - November 4, 2025

Khamzat Chimaev would be a major grappling threat to any contracted UFC fighter, according to a rising fighter in Oktagon MMA. The combatant in question is Tamerlan Dulatov, and his thoughts on ‘Borz’ began with an anecdote about how last May, Dulatov was getting in some work with Michael Venom Page. When it was referenced that MVP has called for certain fights with fighters like Chimaev and touching base on his experience working with Page, Dulatov said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],

Curtis Calhoun - October 22, 2025

UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev didn’t take kindly to Ikram Aliskerov’s recent callout. Before Khamzat Chimaev became a UFC superstar, he rose through the ranks in Europe, enjoying successful stints in Brave CF and other promotions. During his early career grind, Chimaev faced off with future UFC colleague Ikram Aliskerov in a fight that Chimaev calls the toughest of his career.

Dylan Bowker - October 18, 2025

Khamzat Chimaev stands tall on the proverbial mountain of UFC’s middleweight class and hugely inspires upcoming fighters who came from the literal mountains of Chechnya. The Chechen MMA fighter in this context is Tamerlan Dulatov who will test skill with Henrique Melo at OKTAGON 78: Eckerlin vs. Trušček on October 18th. Dulatov appeared on Bowks Talking Bouts and when he mentioned the name of Chimaev, the Chechnya compatriot dynamic seemed strong. When touching on what it meant to see Chimaev ascend to being the UFC middleweight champion as a fellow Chechen combatant, Dulatov said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],