Following his loss to Strickland, Khamzat Chimaev is moving up to light heavyweight, with Jiri Prochazka suggested as an interesting matchup given their history. However, the author sees serious challenges for Chimaev at 205 pounds, where he'll lose his advantages in reach and physical strength against taller, stronger opponents. The analysis suggests that while Chimaev won't be outmuscled, he won't be able to ragdoll opponents as before, and if he fades like in round two against Strickland or round five against Du Plessis, he could be finished quickly by heavy hitters. Adapting to the new weight class could take years, and there are concerns about potential health issues from cutting weight while already showing systemic problems that cause him to break down in fights. The post warns of risks including jumping between weight classes and potentially losing all momentum with a second consecutive loss, though fans would find a Prochazka matchup highly compelling.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
