Belal Muhammad believes that if Khamzat Chimaev defeats Sean Strickland, Chimaev will receive a light heavyweight title shot against Paulo Costa. Notably, Muhammad used the term "vacant" rather than "interim" when discussing the potential title fight. The post notes this could be an error, or Muhammad may be suggesting that if Carlos Ulberg is sidelined long-term, the belt could become vacant again. The post questions whether this scenario is realistic for the 205-pound division.
Belal Muhammad has floated a scenario in which Khamzat Chimaev would fight Paulo Costa for what Muhammad described as the vacant light heavyweight title — not an interim belt — should Chimaev get past Sean Strickland. The prediction, shared on social media, carries an important caveat: it has not been confirmed by the UFC, and Muhammad's use of the word "vacant" rather than "interim" raises questions about whether he misspoke or is suggesting that champion Carlos Ulberg could be sidelined long enough for the 205-pound title to be stripped entirely.
Chimaev enters any such conversation as the top-ranked middleweight in the UFC and sits at number ten in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 32-year-old representing the UAE carries a 15-1 record and is one of the more physically imposing fighters in the sport at six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach. His wrestling is the headline stat — 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes — but he also connects at 60 percent striking accuracy, the highest of the three fighters involved in this discussion.
Costa, ranked 13th at middleweight, would be the opponent Muhammad envisions on the other side of that light heavyweight bout. The Brazilian is 35 years old and holds a 16-4 record. He produces 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, making him one of the more volume-efficient strikers in the division.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion at 31-7, stands in Chimaev's path first. The 35-year-old American trains out of Xtreme Couture and throws the highest volume of the trio at 6.04 significant strikes per minute, though his 42 percent accuracy is notably lower than Chimaev's.
Why it matters
- A Chimaev win over Strickland would almost certainly demand a title fight, and the weight class of that fight remains an open question.
- Muhammad's use of "vacant" implies a more significant shake-up at 205 pounds than a standard interim picture.
- Both Chimaev and Costa would be moving up from middleweight, adding an unusual dynamic to the potential matchup.
- This remains an unconfirmed report and should be treated as speculation until the UFC makes an official announcement.
