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Khamzat Chimaev is set to defend his UFC Middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026. He hopes this will be his last fight in the Middleweight division as he seeks bigger challenges.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 09: Khamzat Chimaev of Russia poses on the scale during the UFC 279 official weigh-in at UFC APEX on September 09, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Goodbye, 185?
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev is just days away from his first-ever title defense against bitter rival Sean Strickland in the UFC 328 main event this weekend (Sat., May 9, 2026) inside Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
But if things go according to plan, Chimaev may not stick around the division much longer.
In an era where champions increasingly chase double-champ status and money fights, âBorzâ says heâs already thinking about bigger opportunities beyond Middleweight â and maybe more pizza, too.
âI hope so,â Chimaev told reporters when asked if UFC 328 could be his final fight at 185 pounds. âI like to eat pizza. We will see.â
Chimaev has repeatedly floated the idea of moving to Light Heavyweight to fight former champion , and he reiterated that interest this week. If at next month, Chimaev expects âPoatanâ to move back down to 205 pounds â setting up a blockbuster showdown.
Khamzat Chimaev's next fight is on May 9, 2026, against Sean Strickland at UFC 328.
Khamzat Chimaev hopes to move on from the Middleweight division to pursue bigger fights.
UFC 328 will take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
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âI just want big fights,â Chimaev said. âAlex Pereira, if he gonna lose to Ciryl Gane, he gonna come back down [to Light Heavyweight]. Heâs big fight too, big name. If not, Iâm gonna go to Heavyweight. I need big names, big money.â
With newly crowned Light Heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg sidelined due to a torn ACL, the division is currently wide open â potentially making Chimaevâs jump even easier.
The undefeated champion also made it clear he has little interest in running laps around the Middleweight rankings.
âI donât think [there are big things at Middleweight],â Chimaev explained. âEven Sean is not a big thing for me because the guy I beat before him for all five rounds â Dricus du Plessis beat him twice. If I stay here, I beat Sean, and then I beat Nassourdine Imavov â Imavov got beat by Sean â whatâs the point? Are we just going around in circles playing Russian Roulette?â
Still, before any move happens, Chimaev has to get through Strickland on Saturday night.
For the latest UFC 328 fight card and rumors click here.