Dana White revealed that Khamzat Chimaev approached him immediately after his fight and expressed a desire to move up to the light heavyweight division. Chimaev explicitly stated he no longer wants to compete in his current weight class. White admitted he had not yet considered specific matchmaking for Chimaev at light heavyweight but acknowledged that the potential move is intriguing. The UFC president's comments confirm that discussions about Chimaev's weight class future are now active. White's statement indicates that Chimaev's decision appears firm and was communicated directly and immediately following the conclusion of his bout. The announcement opens speculation about potential opponents for Chimaev should he make the transition to 205 pounds.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
