Dricus Plessis

**Khamzat Chimaev** says two middleweights he recently called out, **Caio Borralho** and **Dricus Du Plessis**, are off the table for his next fight due to injuries. In comments reported this week, Chimaev stated he has been told both fighters are currently sidelined, closing the door on those matchups for his return. This changes the immediate matchmaking landscape at middleweight, as Du Plessis is a top contender and Borralho a rising threat; Chimaev will now need a different opponent if he wants to re‑enter the title picture. He emphasized his desire to come back “as soon as possible,” so attention turns to which healthy contender the UFC can line up instead.

Borralho, Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev's bid to return to the UFC is stalling after the promotion confirmed that all four fighters he recently called out are unavailable. Caio Borralho and Dricus du Plessis are injured, while Nassourdine Imavov is expected to be announced as the next middleweight title challenger against Sean Strickland. Chimaev, who lost the middleweight title to Strickland at UFC 328 in May, has expressed willingness to fight anyone and says he is ready to return as soon as possible.

Strickland, Borralho, Chimaev+1

Former two-division KSW champion Roberto Soldic has signed with the UFC and will make his promotional debut at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City. Soldic is a notable addition to the roster, having gone 1-1 against current UFC champion Dricus du Plessis in a pair of 2018 bouts.

Khamzat Chimaev has publicly called out four middleweight contenders for his next UFC appearance, naming Sean Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov, and Caio Borralho. Chimaev lost the UFC middleweight title to Strickland at UFC 328 in May — his first professional defeat — and has been angling for a rematch ever since. He made clear he is willing to face any of the four if the Strickland matchup does not materialise.

Strickland, Borralho, Chimaev+1

Caio Borralho says he has recovered from a rib injury and is targeting a fight with Dricus Du Plessis before the end of 2026, having formally requested a November 14 date from the UFC. He also cited December 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas as an alternative, noting he has never lost in Vegas. Borralho says he has been campaigning for the Du Plessis matchup since early in his UFC tenure and is training fully, including sparring, but added he is willing to face any top-10 opponent the UFC puts in front of him.

Borralho