Overview
- On Tuesday Chimaev tagged UFC president Dana White on X and wrote “What are we waiting for? I want to fight,” pressing for an immediate booking.
- Chimaev lost the UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland at UFC 328 and has said he wants either a rematch or to move up to light heavyweight.
- The former champion completed a standard post-fight medical suspension and is scheduled to face Tyron Woodley in a Real American Freestyle grappling contest on September 5 in Moscow.
- RAF boss Chad Bronstein said Chimaev will compete several times before year-end, signaling he will stay active outside the UFC while matchmaking is unresolved.
- The UFC must weigh Strickland’s recovery timetable, ready contenders such as Nassourdine Imavov and Dricus du Plessis, and a possible opening at 205 pounds because of Carlos Ulberg’s reported ACL injury when deciding Chimaev’s next path.