Khamzat Chimaev has indicated his intention to move up to light heavyweight following his UFC 328 bout against Sean Strickland. When asked about a possible interim title fight at 205 pounds, Chimaev said he is not focused on what comes after Strickland and wants to see Carlos Ulberg recover first. Chimaev emphasized that Strickland is a strong opponent and a good fighter despite the trash talk, and that he is fully concentrated on beating him before considering what comes next. The Chechen fighter stated he does not care who his next opponent will be after the Strickland fight. His comments suggest a strategic approach to his career trajectory, potentially seeking new challenges in a heavier weight class.
Khamzat Chimaev has opened the door to a move up to light heavyweight, signaling that a future at 205 pounds is on his mind once he gets past Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9.
Chimaev, the number-one ranked middleweight contender, acknowledged that an interim title fight at light heavyweight had been raised as a possibility but said he is not looking past Strickland. He noted that he wants to see Carlos Ulberg recover before any conversation about 205 pounds goes further, and made clear that beating Strickland is his only priority right now. Despite the trash talk that has surrounded the buildup, Chimaev called Strickland a strong opponent and a good fighter.
The 30-two-year-old, who fights out of Allstars Training Center representing the United Arab Emirates, carries a 15-1 record into the bout. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Chimaev is one of the more complete fighters in the division, landing takedowns at a rate of 5.29 per 15 minutes while posting a striking accuracy of 60 percent.
Across the cage stands the middleweight champion Sean Strickland, who is 31-7 and defends his title at 35 years old. "Tarzan" is relentless on the feet, throwing at a pace of 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach to work behind. The American, who trains at Xtreme Couture, has held the belt and represents a significant test for any contender at 185 pounds.
Should Chimaev make the walk to light heavyweight, Carlos Ulberg would be a relevant name in that picture. The New Zealand-based City Kickboxing product is ranked third at 205 pounds with a 15-1 record at 35 years old, and Chimaev's mention of Ulberg recovering suggests some awareness of the landscape there.
Why it matters
- A Chimaev victory at UFC 328 would make him the middleweight champion and immediately fuel 205-pound speculation
- Ulberg's status at light heavyweight means any move by Chimaev could intersect with existing divisional rankings
- Chimaev's elite takedown rate of 5.29 per 15 minutes would translate as a rare threat in the larger weight class
Saturday, May 9, 2026
