Credit: Mike Roach/Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Dana White announces huge middleweight fight that could decide ‘challenger for Khamzat Chimaev’s title’

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Jordan Ellis | Last updated Aug 19, 2025 8:58 PM ET

Khamzat Chimaev’s first title challenger is set to be decided in the next couple of months.

‘Borz’ dominated Dricus du Plessis over five rounds to become the new middleweight champion at UFC 319 on Saturday night.

Post-fight, Khamzat Chimaev expressed his desire to have a quick turnaround at UFC 321, which takes place in Abu Dhabi on October 25.

Dana White‘s latest announcement suggests the 185lb king will have to wait a little bit longer to fight again.

UFC Vancouver main event revealed

On Tuesday evening, the UFC CEO announced a ton of boxing and MMA fight news on social media.

Most notably, White revealed a massive middleweight fight will headline UFC Vancouver on October 18.

Surging contenders Reiner de Ridder and Anthony Hernandez both called out Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 319.

They have now been booked to fight each other in a potential title eliminator. First up, though, two other UFC stars dreaming of a middleweight title shot will clash in Paris, France, on September 6.

Nassourdine Imavov will face UFC 319 backup fighter Caio Borralho in the UFC Paris headliner.

“We’ll see how this whole thing plays out,” White said.

“We’re gonna end up with a middleweight challenger for Khamzat Chimaev’s title.”

Dana White says the next challenger for Khamzat Chimaev's title could be either the winner of RDR vs Fluffy OR Imavov vs Borralho

"We'll see how this whole thing plays out, and we're gonna end up with a middleweight challenger for Khamzat Chimaev's title…

These fights… pic.twitter.com/6hTwSMzs2k
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 19, 2025