Khamzat Chimaev has publicly called out four middleweight contenders for his next UFC appearance, naming Sean Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov, and Caio Borralho. Chimaev lost the UFC middleweight title to Strickland at UFC 328 in May — his first professional defeat — and has been angling for a rematch ever since. He made clear he is willing to face any of the four if the Strickland matchup does not materialise.
Khamzat Chimaev has put four middleweight contenders on notice, publicly naming Sean Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov, and Caio Borralho as potential opponents for his UFC comeback. The callout comes months after Chimaev suffered the first loss of his professional career, falling to Strickland at UFC 328 in May, and signals that he is eager to return to the top of the division by any route available.
Strickland, 35, remains the UFC middleweight champion following that victory and now carries a 31-7 record. Fighting out of Xtreme Couture, the American is one of the most active strikers in the division, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute. A rematch with Chimaev is the fight Chimaev clearly prefers, though whether the champion is willing to grant one is another matter.
Du Plessis sits second in the middleweight rankings at age 32, bringing a 24-3 record and a physically punishing style from his switch stance. The South African lands 5.21 significant strikes per minute and also contributes nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the more complete threats in the division.
Borralho, ranked fifth, enters the conversation with an 18-2 record and arguably the sharpest striking accuracy of this group at 56 percent. The 33-year-old Brazilian southpaw blends a tidy stand-up game with a solid grappling base, averaging 1.28 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Imavov is named in the callout but does not appear in the verified fighter database, so detailed statistics are unavailable.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's willingness to face four different opponents suggests he is prioritizing activity over waiting on a guaranteed title shot
- A rematch with champion Strickland would be an immediate title-eliminator or outright title fight, raising the stakes considerably
- Du Plessis at number two and Borralho at number five represent legitimate paths back toward contention if the Strickland bout falls through
- The callout adds fresh pressure to matchmakers, who must now navigate a crowded and volatile top five at 185 pounds
