Dana White confirms Chimaev wants move to light heavyweight division

Khamzat Chimaev has requested a move to the light heavyweight division, UFC President Dana White confirmed in the aftermath of UFC 328 on May 9, 2026. White revealed that Chimaev approached him following the event and made clear he no longer wishes to compete at middleweight.

Chimaev, known as "Borz," enters this new chapter carrying a 15-1-0 record and arrives off the back of a split decision loss to Sean Strickland, which appears to have prompted the weight class change. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates and trains out of Allstars Training Center, had been ranked number one in the middleweight division and sits at number ten in the pound-for-pound rankings. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, the Orthodox wrestler and striker brings elite physical tools to any division. His numbers at middleweight were formidable — 4.04 significant strikes landed per minute at 60 percent accuracy, paired with 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most well-rounded threats in the sport.

White acknowledged that no specific matchups at 205 pounds have been discussed yet, but described the potential transition as interesting.

Why it matters

• Chimaev would enter light heavyweight as an immediate contender given his pound-for-pound ranking and dominant wrestling-based skill set
• His departure leaves a significant gap at the top of the middleweight division, where he held the number one contender spot
• The move sets up potentially fresh high-profile matchups against established 205-pound names
• A fighter with his takedown volume and striking accuracy at a heavier weight class could reshape the divisional landscape quickly