Dana White revealed that Khamzat Chimaev approached him immediately after his UFC 328 loss and requested to move up in weight class. Chimaev specifically told White he no longer wants to fight at middleweight. White acknowledged he hasn't yet considered potential matchups at light heavyweight but expressed that Chimaev's move to 205 pounds would be interesting. This represents a significant career decision for Chimaev, who has faced ongoing struggles with weight cutting at middleweight.
Khamzat Chimaev approached UFC President Dana White immediately following his loss at UFC 328 on May 9 and formally requested a move up to the light heavyweight division, White has confirmed. Chimaev told White directly that he no longer wishes to compete at middleweight, marking a significant potential turning point in his career.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," enters this crossroads holding a 15-1 record and currently ranked first in the middleweight division, as well as tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. The 32-year-old fighter, representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, built his reputation as one of the sport's most dominant forces at 185 pounds. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he has posted a striking accuracy of 60 percent and lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute, while also averaging an imposing 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. Despite those numbers, Chimaev has faced persistent difficulties making the middleweight limit, and the loss at UFC 328 appears to have solidified his decision to leave the division behind.
White acknowledged he has not yet begun considering potential matchups for Chimaev at 205 pounds but described the prospect of the move as interesting.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's arrival at light heavyweight would immediately shake up the 205-pound divisional landscape given his top-ten pound-for-pound status.
- His elite wrestling and high striking output present a distinct stylistic challenge for any current light heavyweight contender.
- The middleweight division loses its top-ranked fighter, creating an opening in the title picture at 185 pounds.
- No official bout agreement has been announced, and White has yet to identify a first opponent at the new weight class.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
