TLDR
- Khamzat Chimaev will take a hiatus from UFC if he doesn’t get a fight in October or December 2026
- The former middleweight champion lost his title to Sean Strickland at UFC 328
- Chimaev has undergone six surgeries and been under anesthesia seven times in his career
- He wants a rematch with Strickland, but the champion is expected to face Nassourdine Imavov instead
- Chimaev says Imavov is technically better than Strickland and hopes the French contender wins the title
Sources: yardbarker.com | sports.yahoo.com | mmasucka.com
Khamzat Chimaev has given the UFC a deadline. If the promotion doesn’t book him a fight by December, the former middleweight champion says he will step away from competition.
“If nothing happens in October or December, I’m going to take a break,” Chimaev told Adam Zubayraev in a recent interview. “I have a lot of injuries that need to be treated.”
Chimaev lost his middleweight title and undefeated record to Sean Strickland at UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey. The loss came by split decision in what many considered one of the year’s biggest upsets.
Since that defeat, the 32-year-old has been pushing for a quick return to the octagon. He initially wanted to fight in October, but that window has closed.
Health Issues Force Difficult Decision
Chimaev revealed he has been fighting through serious health problems throughout his career. He said he has undergone six surgeries and been placed under anesthesia seven times.
Khamzat Chimaev says the UFC gave the fight to Nassourdine Imavov right after he said he didn’t want to wait for Sean Strickland.
“It’s a little strange. So far, they haven’t called me or anything like that. I asked them because I want to fight in Abu Dhabi. I’m not asking for a… pic.twitter.com/0SQ43tFvd8
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) September 13, 2026
“I show up to every fight with a health issue. People know that,” Chimaev explained. “I get sick often. I lost half of my thyroid gland.”
The fighter has put off medical treatment to continue competing. Now he says his body needs attention if the UFC cannot find him an opponent before the year ends.
Chimaev built his reputation on staying active. Early in his UFC career, he fought twice in just 10 days, submitting John Phillips and then stopping Rhys McKee with a first-round knockout.
He captured the middleweight title from Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319. After that victory, he immediately began calling for his next fight.
Strickland Rematch Looks Unlikely
The obvious matchup for Chimaev would be a rematch with Strickland. However, the UFC appears to have different plans for the champion.
Strickland is expected to defend his title against Nassourdine Imavov in December. This leaves Chimaev without a clear path back to the belt.
When asked about the Strickland-Imavov matchup, Chimaev shared his prediction. “It’s a tough fight,” he said. “I hope that since their fight a couple of years ago Imavov has improved his striking and will outstrike him.”
Chimaev went further with his assessment of Strickland’s skills. “All fighters are better than him. I replayed the fight in my head a thousand times. Before the fight, I couldn’t even imagine him beating me.”
Despite his harsh words, Chimaev acknowledged what makes Strickland dangerous. “He’s a very tough guy; if he outlasts Imavov, it’s going to be tough,” he said. “If Imavov is feeling good cardio-wise, technically, I think Imavov is much better than him.”
The former champion said he hasn’t let the loss affect his motivation. “Honestly, after the loss, I didn’t really think about it much,” Chimaev explained. “It’s the same as before. I go to work, I train, I do my thing.”
Chimaev took responsibility for the fight going to the judges. “The judges’ decision? That’s still my fault. I should have finished him; then there wouldn’t have been any questions,” he said.
Chimaev recently tagged UFC CEO Dana White on social media asking for a fight. He made it clear he would rather fight someone else than sit on the sidelines waiting for another title shot.
Imavov has won all his fights since losing to Strickland in a short-notice light heavyweight bout years ago. His current form at middleweight has earned him the number three ranking and the reported title shot.
Chimaev’s December deadline is approaching fast. Without an opponent locked in, the former champion may soon have to choose between waiting longer or finally addressing his health concerns.
