Dana White confirms Chimaev wants to move to light heavyweight after UFC 328

Khamzat Chimaev told Dana White directly after UFC 328 on May 9 that he wants to move up to light heavyweight and has no interest in continuing to compete at middleweight. White confirmed the conversation in a post-fight interview, acknowledging the request while admitting he had not yet considered specific opponents for Chimaev at 205 pounds.

Chimaev, known as "Borz," enters this crossroads at 32 years old carrying a 15-1 record. The Allstars Training Center product, who competes out of the United Arab Emirates, had been the top-ranked middleweight contender and sat at number ten in the pound-for-pound rankings heading into UFC 328. His game is built on relentless pressure, with 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and a striking accuracy of 60 percent that pairs with 4.04 significant strikes landed per minute. The loss to Sean Strickland is the first blemish on his record, and it appears to have been the deciding factor in his decision to seek a new division. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Chimaev has the frame to be competitive among light heavyweights.

White did not outline a timeline or potential opponents at 205 pounds, only that the interest from the UFC side is real.

Why it matters

• Chimaev's departure would reshape the middleweight title picture, removing its top-ranked contender from the division
• At light heavyweight, his wrestling volume and striking accuracy would immediately make him a credible threat in a wide-open division
• The move follows his first career loss, signaling the defeat carried weight beyond the scorecards
• No matchup has been formally discussed, leaving his next opponent entirely open