{"id":888280,"date":"2026-09-08T18:58:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T18:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/888280\/"},"modified":"2026-09-08T18:58:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T18:58:13","slug":"khamzat-chimaev-details-conversations-with-ufc-brass-over-his-next-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/888280\/","title":{"rendered":"Khamzat Chimaev Details Conversations With UFC Brass Over His Next Fight"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev<\/a> wants to return in October and has already had a conversation with Hunter Campbell regarding the same.<\/p>\n

Chimaev lost his title to Sean Strickland<\/a> earlier this year at UFC 328 by split decision. \u201cBorz\u201d initially wanted to move up to 205 pounds, but after the title loss, he had to reset his goals. The Chechen-born Emirati now wants to reclaim the middleweight title and clear the 185-pound division before thinking about two-division glory.<\/p>\n

\"\"NEWARK, NEW JERSEY \u2013 MAY 09: (R-L) Sean Strickland punches Khamzat Chimaev of Russia in the UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 328 event at Prudential Center on May 09, 2026, in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Unger\/Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n

Chimaev wanted to run it back with champion Sean Strickland, but currently \u201cTarzan\u201d is expected to defend his title against top contender Nassourdine Imavov. If Strickland vs. Imavov 2 happens later this year, Chimaev has stated that he does not mind waiting, as \u201cThe Sniper\u201d deserves a title shot, and the latter has waited long enough<\/a> for the same.<\/p>\n

During an interview with Red Corner MMA, Chimaev revealed that he has spoken to UFC CBO Campbell about his potential next fight. \u201cBorz\u201d wants to return in October, but ranked contenders like Caio Borralho or Dricus du Plessis<\/a> are injured. He said:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter to me. I call out everyone. I want to come back as soon as possible. Earlier I said that I wanted to return in October. And I called Hunter [Campbell]; they told me that Caio [Borralho] and [Dricus] Du Plessis are injured.\u201d <\/p>\n

Khamzat Chimaev does not know who he will face next. In the same interview, he also added:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll see what happens. I don\u2019t know exactly. Maybe Imavov and Strickland won\u2019t fight. And I\u2019ll be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

Check out Khamzat Chimaev\u2019s comments below:<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udea8Khamzat Chimaev says he won\u2019t face either Caio Borralho or Dricus Du Plessis in his next fight. Talking to Red Corner MMA after his RAF victory in Moscow, Borz expressed hope of facing Sean Strickland or Nassourdine Imavov if their fight falls through. pic.twitter.com\/noOlM7russ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) September 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Khamzat Chimaev talks about impending RAF 13 Gilbert Burns matchup<\/p>\n

After pinning<\/a> Tyron Woodley in under 2 minutes at RAF Moscow, \u201cBorz\u201d now has his crosshairs on former UFC opponent Gilbert Burns. Chimaev and Burns will meet again at RAF 13 later this month. Talking about this upcoming freestyle wrestling match, \u201cBorz\u201d added during the aforementioned interview:<\/p>\n

\u201cBurns is a good wrestler and a good jiu-jitsu<\/a> athlete. We fought a couple of years ago, and he defended pretty well. We\u2019ll see how he does now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Check out Khamzat Chimaev\u2019s comments below:<\/p>\n

Khamzat Chimaev says his former UFC opponent, Gilbert Burns, will be a tough test when they meet again at RAF 13 in Miami on September 18, adding that he\u2019s interested to see how Burns performs this time around in wrestling.<\/p>\n

\u201cBurns is a good wrestler and a good jiu-jitsu athlete.\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/y9wIDWhBze<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) September 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n