STWF Sports | Dec. 9, 2025 – The ascent of Khamzat Chimaev has been nothing short of meteoric, but the reigning UFC middleweight champion has no intention of staying put. The undefeated star (15-0) wants one more fight at 185 pounds—one final defence of his belt—before testing himself at light heavyweight, where Alex Pereira has already entered his crosshairs. Add to that a potential training linkup with Jon Jones, and it’s clear “Borz” is thinking beyond divisions and looking toward legacy-defining moments.
Chimaev, fresh off a dominant win over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in August, climbed in the men’s pound-for-pound rankings this week. To the public eye, one more middleweight title defence sounds routine; for Chimaev, it may be the last chapter before the next evolution.
Speaking to ESPN MMA, the 29-year-old laid out his goal plainly: one more clash at 185, then up the ladder.
“I want to [have] one more fight, then I’m going to go up next weight class,” he said. “I’m pushing for [Pereira], because [the UFC] are going to pay good for that.”
But money is only part of the story. This is the mindset of a fighter who has stuck around at middleweight despite being one of the naturally biggest men in the division. His weight cut troubles have been well documented, and even Chimaev admits that light heavyweight would simply be a better physical fit for his future.
The Next Challenge at 185 Pounds
The UFC has options—multiple, in fact. Nassourdine Imavov currently stands as the most likely challenger. The French contender has cemented his status as the No. 2-ranked middleweight thanks to his win over Caio Borralho in September.
Chimaev doesn’t love that matchup, largely because of how familiar he is with Imavov, but the champion insists he would never reject a fight if that’s what the organization wants.
Sean Strickland and Anthony Hernandez are also in the conversation, though the two will meet in February at UFC Houston. The winner could make a compelling case for a crack at gold shortly afterward.
Chimaev’s response to selecting a challenger was as honest as it was revealing:
“Whoever. I see a big check, good money.”
One more defence. Then the move.
Pereira, Jones, and a Grand Vision
Chimaev wants Alex Pereira. The Brazilian regained his light heavyweight title by knocking out Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320, reigniting attention on a division that has been searching for clarity since Jon Jones stepped away.
But Jones, the former two-division champion and regarded by many as the greatest fighter in UFC history, recently shared a friendly wrestling exchange with Chimaev during an appearance in Chechnya. The two bonded. They discussed working together. It might happen.
“Jon Jones is a legend. I hope one day I can train with him,” Chimaev said. “Maybe I come to the US and do some training with him.”
A Jones-Chimaev training partnership would send shockwaves across the MMA world. Their respective ambitions—Jones’ possible move up for a heavyweight showdown with Pereira, and Chimaev’s shift to 205—create narrative threads that could reshape the UFC’s championship landscape.
UFC’s Big Problem—and Massive Opportunity
Dana White’s dilemma is not a shortage of star power; it’s too much of it colliding all at once. Chimaev wants Pereira. Pereira wants Jones. Jones wants back into the spotlight. And the UFC, for once, may be forced to evaluate legacy over logistics.
Chimaev is currently dealing with a leg injury and won’t return before late March, after Ramadan. But his presence looms large. When he is back, the championship picture will have major implications for two divisions—and potentially the most ambitious crossover scenarios the UFC has seen in years.
One more middleweight defence. Then the light heavyweight seismic shift.
Chimaev isn’t just thinking about his reign. He’s thinking about immortality.
