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Khamzat Chimaev’s only serious UFC title challenge must move up two divisions says Darren Till

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Donagh Corby | Last updated Aug 28, 2025 1:23 PM ET

Khamzat Chimaev may be so dominant at welterweight, middleweight and light-heavyweight that he needs to face a legendary lightweight in order to be challenged.

This is according to his best friend Darren Till, who watched on in awe as his teammate obliterated Dricus Du Plessis with a five-round shutout at UFC 319 to become middleweight champion. It has led to talks of a move up to 205lb where Magomed Ankalaev reigns supreme, or a move back down to 170lb.

However, Till believes that the only realistic challenger for Chimaev is the record-breaking former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. The Russian is currently preparing for a move up to welterweight to face Jack Della Maddalena for a second belt, and could make a super-fight with Chimaev eventually.

Darren Till believes Islam Makhachev is Khamzat Chimaev’s only challenge

Darren Till was unable to corner Khamzat Chimaev for his world title fight as he was preparing for his own Misfits Boxing headliner against Luke Rockhold, which takes place this Saturday on pay-per-view. But he was looking, and believes there are currently no challengers from 170-205lb for his teammate.

“There might be a few fighters who are up and coming but right now, there’s nobody,” Till told Bloody Elbow in an exclusive chat. “I think there’s better fights for him at 170lb, maybe Islam [Makhachev] or something like that.

“If Islam goes up to 170lb that’s a good fight, Ankalaev is the champ at 205lb, but I think he beats Ankalaev. I think Islam is a hard fight for him, I really do.”

Darren Till reacts to Khamzat Chimaev’s stunning UFC 319 win

Till was impressed to see his former opponent Du Plessis completely dominated over five rounds by Chimaev, who extended his unbeaten run to 15-0 with a win. And he rubbished criticisms of his friend’s inability to even push for a finish throughout.

Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images

“His grappling is next to none,” Till gushed. “The way he puts it all together is phenomenal, you can’t fault it in any way. I spoke to him a little bit, he’s off living his best life in Dubai and I’m sure I’ll see him when I get there properly, I’m sure he’ll be watching Saturday.

“I thought it was brilliant from a grappling aspect, I thought it was technical, he done everything he needed to do to get the win and it was brilliant, I loved watching it. You can’t always get the finish and he’s the champion now so let’s see who can overthrow him.”

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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