Khamzat Chimaev says he still plans to move up to the UFC light heavyweight division after his current business at middleweight is finished.
A jump to 205 pounds remains very much on Khamzat Chimaev’s radar. The UFC middleweight champion confirmed he wants to test himself in the light heavyweight division, though his immediate focus is still on Sean Strickland.
Speaking about his future, Chimaev made it clear the move is something he hopes to make happen. For now, though, he is centered on Strickland and not looking too far ahead. A win there would only intensify discussion around how far Chimaev can go across multiple weight classes, especially at a time when the UFC is always looking for crossover stars who can drive big pay-per-view events.
Chimaev also mentioned Carlos Ulberg, saying he hopes Ulberg can recover quickly, but stressed that he is not spending much energy on what comes after Strickland. That is the right approach, because Strickland presents a very different challenge than most of the opponents Chimaev has faced. His durability, pressure, and awkward stand-up style make him a difficult assignment even for elite contenders.
Chimaev praised Strickland’s ability while brushing aside the trash talk that often follows him. His message was simple: whatever comes next can wait until after the fight. That stance matters, because a victory over Strickland would strengthen Chimaev’s case as one of the UFC’s most versatile threats, while a loss would slow the momentum behind any talk of champion-versus-champion style opportunities or a run at another division.
For American fans, the idea of Chimaev moving to light heavyweight is the kind of storyline that instantly grabs attention. He has built his name on chaos, fast finishes, and a willingness to chase the biggest names available. But before any matchup at 205 can become real, he has to get through one of the toughest and most experienced middleweights on the roster. That is the part worth watching now, because the result will shape whether his next step is a title defense, a superfight, or a move up in weight.
