All articles tagged with #khamzat chimaev
Dana White announced that Khamzat Chimaev will face Sean Strickland in the UFC 328 main event on May 9 at the Prudential Center in Newark, finally settling their feud. Strickland earned a title shot after knocking out Anthony Hernandez, while Chimaev remains undefeated and a heavy favorite. The card also features Volkov vs Cortes-Acosta, with Brady vs Buckley and Blachowicz vs Guskov among other bouts.
UFC 328 will crown or confirm the middleweight champion as Khamzat Chimaev defends his title against Sean Strickland on May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. The card also features a heavyweight eliminator: Volkov vs. Cortes-Acosta. The rivalry between Chimaev and Strickland has been fueled by years of trash talk and a past sparring session, with Chimaev remaining undefeated in nine UFC appearances and Strickland aiming for another title bid after a KO win and a controversial year.
Chimaev’s grappling coach says Alex Pereira shouldn’t take a superfight with Chimaev if he wants to pursue a historic third UFC title, suggesting a move up to heavyweight for the belt; the high-profile matchup would draw big money, but the coach argues it isn’t the wisest legacy move for Pereira, and any potential bout would hinge on UFC decisions and weight adjustments.
After UFC Houston, Sean Strickland said in a post-fight scrum that he made Khamzat Chimaev quit during training and mocked Chimaev’s gym behavior, while Chimaev countered on social media by noting he beat Dricus du Plessis (who has beaten Strickland twice) and dismissed Strickland’s account as he and Strickland trade barbs amid rumors about Chimaev possibly moving up to 205 pounds for an interim title.
Sean Strickland defeated Anthony Hernandez by KO at 2:33 of the third round in the UFC Houston main event, using a sharp jab and a decisive middle-knee that sealed the finish. Immediately after, Strickland called out Khamzat Chimaev, signaling a potential title shot and injecting new life into the middleweight title picture as Hernandez’s streak ended and Strickland eyed a high-profile matchup in 2026.
Usman theorizes that Khamzat Chimaev may have outgrown middleweight and is pursuing Alex Pereira as part of a strategic move to a higher division, potentially chasing a title and opening a path for Nassourdine Imavov, portraying the situation as chess-like maneuvering rather than a straightforward title defense.
Khamzat Chimaev blasted UFC middleweight rival Alex Pereira and his coach Glover Teixeira on social media, claiming a lack of mutual respect and posting a side-by-side shot that supposedly contrasts their records. He indicated he’ll have one more fight at middleweight before moving up to light heavyweight, and hinted Nassourdine Imavov as his next opponent, a stance that has fans debating how active a champion should be.
At a Fitbox Fighting Championship press conference in Muscat, Oman, a near-brawl erupted between Chimaev’s teammate Dzhokhar Dushuev and challenger Anthony Zeidan. Chimaev stepped in to admonish Zeidan, and security contained the situation with no punches thrown; Dushuev vs Zeidan remains set as the welterweight main event for FFC 5 in Oman.
UFC champion Alex Pereira has accepted a challenge from Khamzat Chimaev to fight in Brazilian jiu-jitsu or grappling, with Pereira offering to donate all proceeds to charity, and Chimaev quickly responded positively, setting the stage for a potentially exciting match.
Alex Pereira responded to Khamzat Chimaev's challenge with a proposal to fight in grappling or UFC, emphasizing a charity aspect, while Chimaev responded on social media, escalating the rivalry.
Jack Della Maddalena, the reigning welterweight champion, plans to defend his title multiple times before considering moving up divisions, though he is interested in a future fight against Khamzat Chimaev. His immediate focus is on defending his belt against Islam Makhachev at UFC 322, with ambitions of making his mark at 170 pounds first.
UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev predicts Islam Makhachev will win his upcoming welterweight title fight against Jack Della Maddalena, citing Makhachev's wrestling as a key factor. The fight is set for UFC 322, and the outcome could influence future matchups, especially if Della Maddalena or Makhachev win, with potential for Chimaev to face the winner.
Dricus du Plessis believes Khamzat Chimaev should stay in his weight class and not move up to fight Alex Pereira, asserting that Pereira is a top-tier fighter who would be difficult for Chimaev to beat, especially given Pereira's size and skill.
Khamzat Chimaev expressed his desire to fight Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title, citing Pereira as a good matchup and a potential second belt opportunity, while also being open to other contenders if the fight pays well.
Alex Pereira, after reclaiming his light heavyweight title at UFC 320, responded to Khamzat Chimaev's callout by expressing disinterest in fighting him and instead focusing on a potential move to heavyweight, aiming for a super fight and possibly making history by winning titles in three weight classes. Dana White remains cautious about Pereira's move to heavyweight due to strong contenders at light heavyweight.