MORRISTOWN, N.J. – Khamzat Chimaev might not be a middleweight titleholder much longer, win or lose at UFC 328.
While he’s indicated light heavyweight is on his mind, Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) has Sean Strickland (30-7 MMA, 17-7 UFC) in front of him at 185 pounds Saturday as the two headline the event at Prudential Center in Newark.
Advertisement
When asked Tuesday, Chimaev indicated the bout could be his last in the weight class – though he did so with a chuckle.
“I hope so,” Chimaev told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “I like to eat pizza. We will see.”
Things are unclear atop the light heavyweight division at the moment, as newly-crowned champion Carlos Ulberg suffered a torn ACL in his title-clinching victory over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 327 in April.
The promotion has yet to reveal its plans about whether an interim title will be implemented. It’s possible Chimaev could be one half of the equation when the time comes, but for now, he’s focused on Sean Strickland and Sean Strickland only.
Advertisement
“I don’t know,” Chimaev said. “I hope (Ulberg) gets a fast recovery. We will see. I’m not so much focused on (what’s) over Strickland. He’s a tough fighter, good fighter, but we take away all this sh*t he’s saying, he’s a good fighter. I just go focus on him, beat this guy, and then we go for the next. It’s always there. It doesn’t matter.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Khazmat Chimaev hopes UFC 328 is last middleweight fight
