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Khamzat Chimaev fires surprise warning to fans over his next UFC fight

Originally posted on HITC | By Kyle Dimond | Last updated Jan 18, 2026 10:25 AM ET

Khamzat Chimaev was looking to step back into the Octagon quickly after capturing the middleweight title.

But an injury put those plans on hold, forcing him to wait longer than expected to silence any doubters.

His recent comments about returning for just one more fight at middleweight have not done much to ease concerns about how long he will hold onto the belt.

Chimaev has openly stated his desire to move up and recently called out Alex Pereira. It is becoming clear that he sees his future in a different weight class.

The champion’s latest update on his return to the Octagon indicates he feels there is a limited selection of potential opponents.

Khamzat Chimaev questions what he should do next due to ‘nobody wanting to fight’

Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images

Jon Jones’ recent remarks on ‘Borz’ reflect the respect the middleweight champion commands from both fighters and fans alike.

Although some were not convinced by his title-winning performance in August, his nine straight victories inside the Octagon have marked him out as a unique talent.

Even before he won the belt, there were concerns that Chimaev’s reign could be problematic for the sport, mainly due to how infrequently he has fought in recent years.

Nassourdine Imavov appears to be the likely first challenger, while the upcoming bout between Sean Strickland and Anthony Hernandez could shape another option.

Still, despite having names lined up at middleweight who are ready to take him on, Chimaev’s latest comments suggest he feels differently about the situation.

In a video from MTGYM23, reposted by Red Corner MMA, ‘Borz’ said: “When is my next fight? Nobody wants to fight, brother. What should we do?”

Khamzat Chimaev’s middleweight options are not as limited as he claims

Chimaev has only fought and beaten two fighters currently ranked in the middleweight division’s top 15.

There are plenty of fresh matchups available for him at 185 pounds, but that does not seem to be the real issue facing the champion.

Even with his interest in moving up a division, Imavov and Hernandez remain the main contenders at middleweight thanks to their strong win streaks.

Chimaev’s infrequent schedule suggests he is focused on securing the biggest fight possible, which adds to speculation that his time as champion may not last long.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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