Following Hamzat Chimaev's performance, an analyst has assessed the prospects of his potential move to light heavyweight, with Jiri Prochazka suggested as the most interesting matchup due to their history. The analyst expresses skepticism about Chimaev's chances at 93kg, noting he would lose two key advantages: reach and physical strength. At light heavyweight, opponents will all be over 190cm tall and possess comparable strength, eliminating Chimaev's ability to manhandle them as he does at lower weight classes. The analyst warns that if Chimaev gets caught as he did in the second round of his recent fight, or the fifth round against Du Plessis, one or two shots from above could end everything. Concerns are also raised about the health risks of cutting weight from 105-108kg down to 93kg, especially given Chimaev's history of physical breakdowns, which may be due to chronic overtraining or inherent issues. The analyst concludes that Chimaev faces a critical decision: either stay at 85kg and completely restructure his preparation under the strictest regimen, or take the risks in a new division where two consecutive losses could destroy his aura completely.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
