After losing the middleweight title at UFC 328 last Saturday, Khamzat Chimaev told UFC CEO Dana White that he intended on moving up to the light heavyweight division and would never compete as a middleweight again.
“He literally walked up to me after the fight and said, ‘I want to move up. I don’t want to fight in this weight class anymore'” White revealed during the UFC 328 Post-Fight Press Conference.
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Chimaev struggled to make weight for the UFC 328 championship fight against former titleholder Sean Strickland. Some allege that he did not make weight, but that’s another story. Despite what Chimaev told White, he called for a rematch with Strickland the following day on social media.
“Let me know when you are ready @SStricklandMMA,” Chimaev wrote on X.
Typically when a champion loses their belt via split decision, there’s an immediate rematch. It’s the obvious and easiest choice for matchmakers, but it’s unclear in what division Chimaev’s next fight will take place. White didn’t disapprove of the Chechen moving to the 205-pound weight class.
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“Him moving up is exciting,” said White.
