Khamzat Chimaev says his upcoming clash with Sean Strickland at UFC 328 might be his final appearance at 185 pounds, as he continues to eye a future move to light heavyweight.
Chimaev is set to face Strickland in the middleweight main event on Saturday at UFC 328, which takes place at Prudential Center in Newark. The undefeated contender has indicated the bout could mark the end of his run in the division, while expressing interest in stepping up to 205.
When asked about what comes next, Chimaev kept things light and noncommittal. "I hope so," he said, before adding, "I like to eat pizza. We will see." He also said, "I don't know," when pressed further on his future.
Chimaev did address newly crowned light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg, who suffered a torn ACL in his title-clinching victory over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 327 in April. "I hope (Ulberg) gets a fast recovery. We will see. I'm not so much focused on (what's) over Strickland. He's a tough fighter, good fighter, but we take away all this sh*t he's saying, he's a good fighter. I just go focus on him, beat this guy, and then we go for the next. It's always there. It doesn't matter."
Chimaev enters UFC 328 with a 15-0 professional record, including 9-0 in the UFC. Strickland brings a 30-7 mark to the bout, with a 17-7 record inside the promotion. The UFC has not yet announced its plans regarding a potential interim light heavyweight title.
