Khamzat Chimaev hoped for a quick return after winning the middleweight title. The undefeated star planned to silence doubters with another fast appearance. An injury stopped that plan and removed his chance to prove critics wrong immediately. Recent comments about one more middleweight fight failed to calm fan concerns. Many supporters still question how stable his title reign will be.
Chimaev has clearly stated his long-term ambition involves light heavyweight fights. He recently called out Alex Pereira and showed interest in moving divisions. That ambition continues to shape how fans view his next move. His latest update suggests he sees few realistic opponents right now. The champion appears unsure about when he will return to the Octagon.
Chimaev questions his next move as he claims nobody wants the fight
Jon Jones recently praised Khamzat Chimaev and highlighted his elite reputation. Many fighters and fans rate the middleweight champion extremely highly. Some critics questioned his title-winning performance in August. Still, his nine straight UFC wins underline his unique competitive level. Those victories continue to separate him from most of the division.
Before his title win, critics warned his reign could damage the division. They focused on his historically low activity rate. Observers expected that concern to grow once he became champion. Nassourdine Imavov currently looks like the most obvious first challenger. The upcoming fight between Sean Strickland and Anthony Hernandez could create another option.
Despite these possibilities, Chimaev disagrees with that assessment. He addressed fans while attending MTGYM23 and shared his frustration. “When is my next fight?” Chimaev asked in a recorded video. “Nobody wants to fight, brother. What should we do?” he added.
The real issue facing Chimaev at middleweight
Khamzat Chimaev has only fought two current top-15 middleweights. He defeated both opponents decisively. Several fresh matchups remain available at 185 pounds. That situation does not represent the real issue facing the champion. Opportunity still exists throughout the division.
Only Nassourdine Imavov and Anthony Hernandez hold strong title cases. Both men earned momentum through impressive winning streaks. Chimaev competes infrequently compared to other champions. That pattern shows his preference for the biggest possible fight. Such an approach increases the chances of a short title reign.
