That card will feature two title bouts before Alexander Volkanovski also tries to defend his featherweight belt in a rematch with Diego Lopes at UFC 325 the following week<\/a>, and fans are eager for more news regarding what major title fights might be in store during the first half of the year. <\/p>\n Nassourdine Imavov Drops New Training Footage<\/p>\n One UFC champion that\u2019s still due to defend his belt for the first time is Khamzat Chimaev, who won the middleweight title with a dominant unanimous decision against Dricus du Plessis in August when the pair headlined UFC 319. <\/p>\n READ MORE: UFC shockingly parts ways with fighter boasting undefeated UFC record<\/a><\/p>\n Currently on a five-fight win streak, Imavov is officially the middleweight division\u2019s #2 contender behind former titleholder du Plessis. \u201cThe Sniper\u201d most recently handed Caio Borrralho his first UFC loss in a UFC Paris main event that many viewed as a number one contender bout, and it certainly looks like Imavov is at least preparing as if he\u2019ll be fighting for a UFC belt in 2026. <\/p>\n Nassourdine Imavov looking SHARP in new training footage \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n (via @imavov1<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/j54CAQfDkx<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s unclear when exactly Chimaev intends to defend his belt next year, but \u201cBorz\u201d has already teased the idea that he wants to fight one more time as a middleweight<\/a> before moving up to pursue a second belt in the light heavyweight division.<\/p>\n Could Another UFC Star Steal Imavov’s Title Opportunity?<\/p>\n Imavov certainly seems to have earned what would be his first crack at UFC gold, but there are a couple of significant middleweight bouts already scheduled for 2026 that could derail the Frenchman\u2019s plans. <\/p>\n READ MORE: Ex-UFC champion admits “decent paycheck” could make him switch to boxing<\/a><\/p>\n It was recently announced that Imavov\u2019s former foe Borralho will return to action at UFC 326 <\/a>opposite Reinier de Ridder, who saw an undefeated start to his own UFC career end in his last outing against Brendan Allen. The former two-division ONE Championship titleholder looked to be on the fast track to a title shot prior to that, and Borralho could also vault right back into the championship conversation with an impressive win of his own.<\/p>\n Brendan Allen (red gloves) fights Anthony Hernandez (blue gloves) in the middleweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Former UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland is also set to return on February 21 to headline a UFC Fight Night event against Anthony Hernandez, who is currently on an impressive eight-fight win streak and was scheduled to fight de Ridder in Octobe<\/a>r before he was forced out of the matchup with an injury. <\/p>\n More MMA Knockout News<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Ex-UFC champ aims to snap losing streak on Holloway vs. Oliveira undercard at UFC 326<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC legend Anderson Silva shares puzzling response regarding Dana White relationship<\/a> <\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0When is the first UFC card on Paramount+ in 2026? Event schedule revealed for Q1<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0MMA fans put on notice after fighter scores insane walk-off KO in first pro fight<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Brendan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01kd5v15mbsxkxawwdmt.jpg\" "\\"Brendan")
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