Kamaru Usman has suggested that if Khamzat Chimaev defeats Sean Strickland and decides to move up in weight, he should fight Magomed Ankalaev for the light heavyweight title. Usman notes that Ulberg is potentially out for 9-12 months due to injury, creating an opening for either an interim title fight or a vacant title scenario if Ulberg relinquishes the belt. The post asks fans whether they would support this matchup if Chimaev successfully gets past Strickland. The proposal represents a potential path for Chimaev to become a two-division fighter.
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has floated an intriguing scenario for the light heavyweight division, suggesting that Khamzat Chimaev should challenge Magomed Ankalaev for the 205-pound title if Chimaev beats Sean Strickland and opts to move up in weight.
Usman's proposal is tied directly to the status of current light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg, who is reportedly sidelined for nine to twelve months with an injury. Usman noted that the situation could create a path to either an interim title fight or a vacant title scenario should Ulberg ultimately relinquish the belt.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion at 185 pounds, carries a 31-7 record and is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach. The 35-year-old American out of Xtreme Couture has long been known for relentless forward pressure and output.
Standing opposite him in the scenario is Chimaev, the number-one ranked middleweight and number-ten pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The 32-year-old carries a 15-1 record and is one of the most complete fighters in the sport, posting an extraordinary 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 60 percent striking accuracy. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, the UAE-based Swede would need to add roughly 20 pounds to compete at light heavyweight.
Ankalaev, the number-one ranked light heavyweight contender from Russia, holds a 21-2-1 record and sits fifth in the pound-for-pound rankings at age 34. The six-foot-three Gorets Fight Club product brings 52 percent striking accuracy and has not recorded a submission attempt in his UFC run, underscoring a style built primarily around calculated striking and takedown defense.
Why it matters
- A Chimaev victory over Strickland would immediately raise questions about his divisional future given his size and wrestling dominance
- Ulberg's extended injury absence leaves the light heavyweight title picture unsettled, with Ankalaev as the clear frontrunner for any interim or vacant title opportunity
- Chimaev moving to 205 would pit his elite grappling volume against a striker in Ankalaev who offers little on the ground, creating a compelling stylistic contrast
