Khamzat Chimaev’s undefeated streak and UFC Middleweight Championship were surprisingly ended at UFC 328 on May 9th. He was outpointed by Sean Strickland in Newark. Chimaev had been dominant at 185 pounds, defeating Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis for the title. However, a strenuous weight cut and Strickland’s effective takedown defense led to Chimaev’s first title defense loss via a close split decision.
Online betting sites heavily favored Chimaev, listing him as a -500 favorite against an underdog Strickland at +410. Despite Chimaev’s early pressure, Strickland managed to survive the first round and then took control of the fight, winning rounds two and three, and narrowly taking the fifth on two judges’ scorecards.
Chimaev’s Impending Move to Light Heavyweight
Following the upset, UFC President Dana White announced that Chimaev informed him of his decision to move up to light heavyweight, citing the difficulty of his weight cuts. This move marks a significant shift for Chimaev, who was competing at welterweight just four years ago.
While Chimaev has publicly hinted at a potential rematch with Strickland on social media, assuming White’s statement about the move to light heavyweight is accurate, the question arises: who would be an ideal opponent for his debut in the new division? Here are three potential scenarios for the UFC.
Carlos Ulberg
Recent UFC history shows a pattern of champions receiving immediate title shots in heavier divisions after vacating their belts. For instance, Ilia Topuria moved to lightweight for a title shot, Islam Makhachev moved to welterweight for a title shot, and Alex Pereira is set to fight for an interim heavyweight title after vacating his light heavyweight belt. Could Chimaev receive similar treatment?
Carlos Ulberg is the current light heavyweight champion, having impressively knocked out Jiří Procházka in the first round despite an early injury. If the UFC opts to grant Chimaev an immediate title opportunity in his light heavyweight debut, Ulberg would be the most probable first opponent.
However, there’s a significant caveat. Topuria, Makhachev, and Pereira were all reigning champions when they moved up. Chimaev, having lost his middleweight title, might not be afforded the same immediate title shot.
Jiří Procházka
Rumors suggest that Chimaev’s difficult weight cut for the Strickland fight was due to him already preparing for a light heavyweight debut against Jiří Procházka. The UFC reportedly switched opponents at the last minute. Could this fight now materialize?
A bout with Procházka would be a significant test for Chimaev’s light heavyweight debut. Procházka, currently ranked third in the division and coming off a title loss to Ulberg, would present a strong challenge. A victory over Procházka would likely position Chimaev as the next contender for the title. Procházka has a history of challenging for the title, having lost three times in his last three title fights to Alex Pereira (twice) and Ulberg, establishing himself as a gatekeeper in the division.
Procházka appears to be a suitable opponent for Chimaev, who would likely aim for a dominant wrestling victory. If an immediate title shot isn’t available, Procházka is a compelling option.
Paulo Costa
For a potentially less high-profile debut, the UFC could consider number seven-ranked Paulo Costa. The outspoken Brazilian has frequently expressed his desire to fight Chimaev and has publicly stated his intent to “hurt” him.
Costa recently made an impressive debut in the light heavyweight division, knocking out Azamat Murzakanov and quickly climbing to number seven in the rankings. A fight between him and Chimaev would undoubtedly generate significant media attention, with the winner likely positioning themselves for a future title shot.
