Dana White confirmed that Khamzat Chimaev approached him immediately after losing to Sean Strickland and requested to move up to light heavyweight, stating he no longer wants to fight at middleweight. White acknowledged the move is interesting but admitted he hadn't yet considered specific matchups for Chimaev at 205 pounds. The UFC president noted that Chimaev's weight management has become increasingly difficult as his lifestyle changed with success, contrasting with his earlier days when he competed at welterweight. White stated that Chimaev has fully realized his potential, confirming that when he first saw Chimaev, he believed he was special and that prediction came true with Chimaev becoming a UFC champion.
Dana White confirmed on May 10 that Khamzat Chimaev approached him in the immediate aftermath of his UFC 328 loss to Sean Strickland and requested a move up to light heavyweight, declaring he has no interest in competing at middleweight any longer.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," entered UFC 328 as the No. 1-ranked middleweight contender and the No. 10 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The 32-year-old from the United Arab Emirates carried a 15-1 record into the contest and had long been regarded as one of the sport's most dominant forces, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and posting a striking accuracy of 60 percent across his career. White acknowledged that Chimaev's difficulty managing his weight has grown as his lifestyle evolved following his rise to success, noting he once competed at welterweight in his earlier UFC days. White also reflected that he recognized Chimaev as a special talent from the very beginning, and that assessment proved correct when Chimaev went on to become a UFC champion.
Standing opposite him at UFC 328 was Sean Strickland, who retained the middleweight title. The 35-year-old American, fighting out of Xtreme Couture, holds a 31-7 record and has developed a reputation for relentless forward pressure, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute while measuring in at six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach.
Why it matters
- A Chimaev move to light heavyweight would shake up a 205-pound division that would receive one of the sport's most complete grapplers
- The departure of the top-ranked middleweight contender creates an immediate vacancy in title contention at 185 pounds
- White confirmed no specific matchups at light heavyweight have been discussed, leaving Chimaev's path at 205 pounds entirely open
Saturday, May 9, 2026
