Khamzat Chimaev, the current UFC middleweight champion, has been holding the title for less than six months but is already aiming for another title shot. He captured the middleweight belt by defeating Drikas du Plessis at UFC 319 in August with such dominance that the fight became one-sided by the final round. Despite never having defended his middleweight title, Chimaev is currently involved in a high-profile bout against Alex Pereira at light heavyweight.
Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who narrowly lost to Chimaev in 2023, has shared insights suggesting that Chimaev is struggling to make the 185-pound middleweight limit. Usman explained on the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast with Henry Cejudo that he has heard rumors indicating Chimaev’s weight challenges, which might be why he is pushing for a fight against Pereira in a higher weight class. He noted that Chimaev is a naturally large athlete, with some reports placing him at around 225 to 230 pounds, which would make staying at 185 difficult.
Usman also drew parallels between Chimaev and the late Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, who initially cut weight to compete at welterweight before finding success at light heavyweight. Johnson’s journey from an undersized welterweight to a dominant light heavyweight contender is similar to what might lie ahead for Chimaev. Usman emphasized how ridiculous it was for either fighter to make the welterweight limit given their natural size and suggested that Chimaev’s current pursuit of a light heavyweight title makes sense if he’s outgrown middleweight.
Fan Take: This development is a major storyline for fight fans because it highlights how elite fighters continually evolve and adapt to their bodies and competition. Chimaev’s move up in weight could reshape the landscape of multiple divisions and generate exciting matchups, reflecting the dynamic nature of MMA today.
