Khamzat Chimaev is moving up to light heavyweight following his recent loss. The most intriguing potential matchup is against Jiri Prochazka, which carries significant name value and backstory. However, concerns exist about Chimaev's prospects in the new division, as he will lose his advantages in reach and physical strength against opponents who will all be over 190cm tall and equally powerful. The analyst questions whether Chimaev can handle the power of light heavyweights, especially if he experiences cardio issues similar to recent fights. Additionally, there are health concerns about whether cutting weight from 105-108kg to make 93kg could cause systemic problems for Chimaev, who has experienced physical breakdowns multiple times. The move represents a significant risk that could result in consecutive losses and damage his reputation, though fans are most interested in seeing him face Prochazka.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
