The UFC roadblock standing between Chimaev and double gold

After Khamzat Chimaev was crowned middleweight champion following his move up from welterweight, he made clear he intends to rule in more than one division – and hasn’t ruled out dropping back to 170 pounds to do it. He suggested that if Islam Makhachev defeats Jack Della Maddalena on November 16 in the main event of UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden, facing him would be the fastest route to becoming the pound-for-pound No 1.

What next for Khamzat Chimaev

“That will never happen,” said Islam’s manager Ali Abdelaziz flatly on Submission Radio. Chimaev had dominated Dricus du Plessis just weeks earlier to claim the middleweight belt. The Chechen made the jump from welterweight after recurring health issues and repeated weight-cut troubles, which at times led to missed weigh-ins or even illness on fight week.

Islam also chose to move divisions. Weight cuts had become too punishing, and he didn’t want to prolong the strain. “Welterweight? We’ll see who the champion is. If Makhachev wins, that’s the fastest way to become pound-for-pound No 1,” said Chimaev, who insists his plan is simple: to be the best. He wants to be a double champion and climb to the very top of the rankings – but Islam’s camp isn’t on board.

“First of all, Khamzat is too big. I don’t think he’ll ever make welterweight again. And in a way, these guys know each other – they’re from the same region. Honestly, this fight makes no sense,” Abdelaziz added. Both Makhachev and Chimaev are Russian, though Chimaev has since become a UAE citizen and fought under its flag in his last outing. Visa issues with the US have kept many of his recent fights in the Middle East.

The light heavyweight route for Chimaev

Usually, when a fighter chases a second belt, he moves up in weight, not down. For Chimaev, that would mean light heavyweight, where Magomed Ankalaev currently reigns – one of the UFC’s more crowded divisions. “I think if Khamzat goes up and wants to fight at light heavyweight, maybe it makes more sense. But he already has plenty of contenders waiting in his division before even thinking of moving up. We have to be fair to everyone, and I believe he will defend his title,” said Abdelaziz.

Ankalaev himself is open to the idea. “If someone wants to come up and try to take my belt, he’s welcome. No problem. If he moves up, good for him,” the champion told Ushatakya. For now, as Abdelaziz suggests – and as the UFC is likely to demand – Chimaev will probably need to defend his crown at least once against the middleweight challengers lining up.

Options include a rematch with Du Plessis, a clash with former champion Alex Pereira, or the winner of next weekend’s UFC Paris bout between Caio Borralho and Nassourdine Imavov.

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