Overview
- Chimaev told ESPN he aims to defend his middleweight title once after Ramadan in March, then move to light heavyweight to chase a second UFC belt.
- He is pressing for a fight with 205-pound champion Alex Pereira, accusing the Brazilian of avoiding an octagon bout and proposing grappling instead.
- Nassourdine Imavov is viewed as the frontrunner for the next 185-pound shot, though Chimaev says he would prefer not to face a familiar training partner due to Dagestan–Chechnya tensions but would accept if the UFC books it.
- A reported leg injury and the Ramadan calendar point to late March availability, and the UFC has not announced his first title defense.
- The Sean Strickland–Anthony Hernandez matchup in February could affect the middleweight queue, and Chimaev has also discussed training with Jon Jones.