Khamzat Chimaev experienced a shocking loss of his undefeated record and UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 328 on May 9th. He was outpointed by Sean Strickland, an underdog from America, in Newark. The Chechen fighter had been on an impressive streak at 185 pounds, defeating both Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis to secure the title. However, a challenging weight cut of over 40 pounds, combined with Strickland’s surprisingly effective takedown defense, ended Chimaev’s championship reign in his first title defense.
Online betting sites overwhelmingly predicted a Chimaev victory. Bovada’s UFC betting odds listed the champion as a strong -500 favorite, with the challenger as a significant +410 underdog. Despite the odds, Strickland managed to survive Chimaev’s initial onslaught. He then took control of the fight, winning rounds two and three, and narrowly securing a split decision victory by edging out the fifth round on two judges’ scorecards.
Chimaev’s Impending Move to Light Heavyweight
In the immediate aftermath of the upset, UFC President Dana White announced at a press conference that Chimaev had expressed a desire to no longer compete at middleweight and would be moving up to light heavyweight, citing the grueling weight cut as the primary reason. It’s remarkable to consider that just four years ago, Khamzat was competing at welterweight (170 pounds), and now he may be preparing to move up to 205 pounds.
However, Chimaev’s social media activity on X (formerly Twitter) suggests he might not be entirely done with middleweight. He has publicly challenged Strickland since losing his championship, stating, “let me know when you are ready,” indicating that an immediate rematch is still a possibility. But assuming White’s statement to the press post-UFC 328 is accurate, who would be the ideal opponent for Chimaev’s light heavyweight debut? Here are three potential scenarios the UFC might consider.
Carlos Ulberg
Precedent has shown that champions vacating their belts to move up in weight often receive immediate title shots. Ilia Topuria, the former featherweight champion, was granted a direct shot at lightweight gold after moving up. Similarly, Islam Makhachev, the lightweight champion, vacated his title for an immediate opportunity at welterweight. Alex Pereira is also set to receive a shot at an interim heavyweight title after relinquishing his light heavyweight championship. Could Chimaev be afforded the same preferential treatment?
Carlos Ulberg is the current light heavyweight champion. He secured the vacant 205-pound title with a devastating first-round knockout against Jiří Procházka, even after sustaining an injury early in the fight. If Chimaev is to receive an immediate title shot upon his move to a heavier division, Ulberg would likely be his first opponent in the new weight class.
There is, however, a significant caveat to this theory. Topuria, Makhachev, and Pereira were all champions of their respective divisions when they moved up. Chimaev, having lost his middleweight title to Strickland, is no longer the king of his division. This might lead the UFC to hesitate in offering him the same immediate title opportunity.
Jiří Procházka
Rumors suggest that the reason behind Chimaev’s intense weight cut for the Strickland fight was his prior preparation for a light heavyweight debut against Jiří Procházka. He had reportedly gained significant weight in anticipation of moving to 205 pounds, but the UFC made a last-minute change, opting for Chimaev’s middleweight title defense against Strickland. Could this fight against Procházka now finally materialize?
A debut against Procházka would undoubtedly be a significant test for Chimaev in the light heavyweight division. Procházka, currently ranked third in the division and coming off a title loss to Ulberg, would provide a strong challenge. A victory over him would likely position Chimaev as the number one contender for the title. Procházka has faced three consecutive title challenges, losing twice to Alex Pereira and most recently to Ulberg, establishing himself as a formidable gatekeeper in the division.
He appears to be a tailor-made stylistic matchup for Chimaev, who could potentially utilize his wrestling to secure a dominant victory. If an immediate title shot isn’t forthcoming, Procházka presents as an ideal opponent.
Paulo Costa
If Chimaev is seeking an opponent ranked lower in the division, then the seventh-ranked Paulo Costa could be a viable option. The outspoken Brazilian has frequently called out Chimaev in the media, expressing a desire to “hurt” him, and this matchup could provide that opportunity.
Costa recently made an impressive light heavyweight debut, knocking out Azamat Murzakanov and catapulting himself to seventh in the world rankings. A fight between him and Chimaev would undoubtedly generate significant attention, with the winner likely to position themselves for a title shot.
English Translation:
Khamzat Chimaev shockingly lost his undefeated record and UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 328 on May 9th when he was outpointed by the brash American underdog Sean Strickland in Newark. The Chechen-born sensation had been on a dominant streak throughout his time at 185 pounds, defeating both Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis to claim the title. However, a brutal weight cut of over 40 pounds, combined with Strickland’s incredibly underrated takedown defense, spelled the end of Borz’s reign as champion in his first title defense.
Online betting sites could not foresee anything other than a Chimaev victory on fight night. The Bovada UFC betting odds when the two men entered the cage listed the champion as the clear -500 favorite, with the challenger a formidable +410 underdog. But after surviving the first-round onslaught, Strickland took control of the fight, winning rounds two and three before narrowly edging out the fifth on two judges’ scorecards to secure a razor-thin split decision victory.
Chimaev’s Impending Move to Light Heavyweight
In the immediate aftermath of the shocking upset, UFC head Dana White stated in his press conference that Chimaev had informed him he no longer wished to compete at middleweight and would be moving up to light heavyweight, with the grueling weight cut clearly being the reason. It’s scarcely believable that just four years ago, Khamzat was campaigning at welterweight and 170 pounds. Fast forward to now, and he could well be set to move up to 205.
If his X (formerly Twitter) posts are any indication, Chimaev may not yet be done with middleweight. He has tagged Strickland in a post since losing his championship, saying, “let me know when you are ready.” This suggests an immediate rematch is not out of the question. But assuming what White told the press post-UFC 328 is true, who would be an ideal opponent for Chimaev in his light heavyweight debut? Here are three possible routes the UFC could take.
Carlos Ulberg
When Ilia Topuria vacated his featherweight championship to move up to lightweight in 2025, he was awarded an immediate title shot. The same was the case for 155-pound champion Islam Makhachev, who also vacated his strap and was rewarded with an instant crack at welterweight gold. Alex Pereira will soon receive a shot at the interim heavyweight title after vacating his light heavyweight championship. Would it be the wildest proposition for Chimaev to be afforded the same treatment?
Carlos Ulberg is the newly crowned light heavyweight champion. He viciously knocked out Jiří Procházka in the first round of their clash for the vacant 205-pound title, and he did so on one leg after suffering an injury in the opening seconds of the contest. If Chimaev is to be given an immediate title shot in his move up in weight, then the Kiwi champion is most likely to be his first opponent in the division.
Of course, there is a huge asterisk next to this theory. Each of Topuria, Makhachev, and Pereira were the champions of their respective divisions when they vacated their belts and moved up to a heavier division. Chimaev, of course, is no longer the middleweight king after being dethroned by Strickland, and as such, the UFC may be unwilling to afford Borz the same treatment as those three superstars.
Jiří Procházka
If the rumor mill is to be believed, the reason Chimaev had such a monstrous weight cut ahead of the Strickland fight was that he was already preparing for a light heavyweight debut against Jiří Procházka. He had bulked up in a bid to move to 205, and the UFC changed plans at the last minute and pivoted to a Chimaev defense against Strickland. Now, could that fight against Procházka finally come to fruition?
The Czech sensation would certainly be a solid light heavyweight debut for Chimaev. Currently ranked number three in the division and fresh off a title defeat to champion Ulberg, a victory over Procházka would likely secure Borz a spot as the number one contender to the title. “Denisa” has lost each of his last three title challenges, twice to Alex Pereira and now again to Ulberg, and he has very much become somewhat of a gatekeeper in the division.
He looks to be a tailor-made opponent for the Chechen, who would likely wrestle his way to a dominant victory. Should an immediate title shot not be in the offing, Procházka looks to be the perfect opponent.
Paulo Costa
Should Chimaev be looking for somewhat of a lower-ranked opponent, then number seven-ranked Paulo Costa could well be an option. The loudmouth Brazilian has repeatedly taken shots at Chimaev in the media, repeatedly saying how he wants to “hurt” the Chechen, and he could well get his chance.
Costa recently knocked out Azamat Murzakanov in his light heavyweight debut, an impressive win that catapulted him to number seven in the world. A clash between him and Chimaev would certainly garner the headlines, and the winner would likely then campaign for a title shot.
