Khamzat Chimaev has teased a move up in weight ever since winning the middleweight title. According to ‘Borz’s’ latest social media update, such a move could be coming sooner than expected.
Chimaev has been angling for a showdown against the reigning 205-pound kingpin Alex Pereira for some time, even suggesting he’d be willing to jump to heavyweight amid ‘Poatan’s’ own ambitions of moving up.
Earlier today, the reigning middleweight champion took to X, writing:
“205.”
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The update sparked widespread speculation, with reports on social media claiming the Chechen-born Emirati is being lined up to headline UFC 327 in Miami against former light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka, with the 205-pound title on the line.
If the rumors are true, this would likely signal Pereira finally getting the green light from Dana White for a heavyweight debut.
Chimaev is currently on hiatus from MMA and is set to undergo surgery for a foot injury. He is expected to be out of action until the end of March, when Ramadan ends.
Chimaev was last seen in action at UFC 319, where he captured the 185-pound title in a dominant unanimous decision win over Dricus du Plessis.
Prochazka has been unsuccessful in reclaiming the title after relinquishing it due to an injury in 2022.
Since then, he fought for the championship twice against Pereira, suffering knockout losses both times. If the rumors are true, this would be ‘BJP’s’ fourth title shot in the UFC.
Prochazka was last seen in his third-round knockout win over Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 320 in October.
Khamzat Chimaev reaffirms double champ ambitions
It appears that being a two-division champion or possibly capturing even more UFC titles is the number one priority for Khamzat Chimaev.
During a recent segment on the JAXXON PODCAST, Michael Bisping asked the 31-year-old whether he ever received any response from Alex Pereira after a plethora of calls out aimed at the Brazilian.
Chimaev answered that while ‘Poatan’ never entertained the matchup, he would still like to fight for the light heavyweight gold, even if it was not against the hard-hitting kickboxer:
“[Pereira] never responded. We’ll see if anyone else [is ready to fight]. I just want to be a double champ. Then I can go back to my weight class, or stay [at light heavyweight], or go up more. I’m not the guy who is trying to go out of the UFC undefeated. I don’t care. I just want to get some things done.” [25:42 mark of the interview]
Edited by Ujwal Jain