Khamzat Chimaev says his upcoming title defense against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 may be the last time fans see him at middleweight, as he eyes bigger names and new divisions.
Chimaev is scheduled to defend his UFC middleweight belt against Strickland in the UFC 328 main event on Sat., May 9, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. According to the champion, that matchup could close the book on his run at 185 pounds.
“I just want big fights,” Chimaev said, making it clear his ambitions may soon take him beyond the middleweight ranks. He added, “I like to eat pizza. We will see.”
Chimaev has expressed interest in moving to light heavyweight for a showdown with Alex Pereira, while also acknowledging the current situation at 205 pounds. “Alex Pereira, if he gonna lose to Ciryl Gane, he gonna come back down [to Light Heavyweight]. He’s big fight too, big name. If not, I’m gonna go to Heavyweight. I need big names, big money.” Light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg is currently sidelined with a torn ACL.
The undefeated middleweight champion has previously talked about changing divisions in search of bigger fights and paydays, and he openly questioned what is left for him at 185. “I don’t think [there are big things at Middleweight],” Chimaev said, pointing to prior results involving Sean Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, and Nassourdine Imavov. “Even Sean is not a big thing for me because the guy I beat before him for all five rounds — Dricus du Plessis beat him twice. If I stay here, I beat Sean, and then I beat Nassourdine Imavov — Imavov got beat by Sean — what’s the point? Are we just going around in circles playing Russian Roulette?”
