UFC President Dana White shared interesting information about Khamzat Chimaev's future plans. According to him, Chimaev expressed his intention to change weight classes after his fight against Sean Strickland.
UFC 328 in Newark did not end as expected for Chimaev. In the middleweight title bout, he lost to Sean Strickland by decision. After this defeat, it seems Khamzat has begun to think about a new stage in his career.
According to Dana White, Chimaev told him after the fight that he wants to move up to a higher weight class. He stated that he no longer wants to compete in his current division.
“After the fight, Khamzat told me he wants to move up in weight and doesn't want to fight in this division anymore. It’s very interesting,” said White.
This statement is sure to spark great interest among UFC fans. Chimaev was known in the middleweight division for his aggressive style, strong wrestling, and high-pressure fights. However, changing weight classes could be a major turning point in his career.
It is known that changing weight classes is not a simple decision in MMA. In a new division, opponents are different, and physical strength, speed, endurance, and tactical approaches must be readjusted. Especially when moving up, punch resistance and the physical superiority of opponents become significant factors.
Recall that Chimaev won the championship belt in 2025 by defeating Dricus du Plessis. The fight against Sean Strickland was his first title defense, but it ended unsuccessfully, and the belt was lost.
The loss to Strickland could be a heavy blow for Chimaev, but it does not mean his career is over. On the contrary, sometimes a major defeat leads an athlete to a new path, a new weight class, and new goals. In MMA, the word “comeback” is not just a motivational poster — it is a real scenario for many fighters.
Now the main question is: will Chimaev really move up in weight, or is this an emotional decision following a defeat? If he switches to a new division, another interesting intrigue will emerge in the UFC. Because wherever Khamzat fights, there is sure to be noise, pressure, and great attention surrounding him.
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