when khamzat chimaev next fight

Quick Scoop: When Is Khamzat Chimaev’s Next Fight?

As of now, Khamzat Chimaev’s exact next fight date has not been officially announced, but all credible reporting points to his return after Ramadan 2026 , most likely sometime in April 2026 or later , for his first UFC middleweight title defense.

What We Know About His Return Timeline

• Chimaev revealed he needs a minor foot operation , which has pushed back his comeback plans.

• He has said clearly that he will return “after Ramadan” , and Ramadan in 2026 runs from 17 February to around 18–19 March 2026.

• Because of both surgery and Ramadan, reporters and analysts consistently mention April 2026 or later as the realistic window for his next fight rather than early 2026.

So if you’re wondering “when Khamzat Chimaev next fight” , the best current expectation is:

Target window: April 2026 onward, no official date locked in yet.

Who Is He Likely to Fight Next?

While nothing is signed and announced, multiple outlets and commentators are circling Nassourdine Imavov as the frontrunner for Chimaev’s first middleweight title defense.

• Some reports describe Imavov as the expected next challenger, given his win streak and ranking at middleweight.

• Other names occasionally mentioned in discussions are fighters like Sean Strickland and Anthony Hernandez , who are in pivotal contender matchups, but Imavov is still presented as the favorite to get the shot.

In short:

Most likely opponent (unofficial): Nassourdine Imavov, for Chimaev’s first middleweight title defense.

Trending Context: Why the Delay Matters

• Chimaev only recently became UFC middleweight champion after beating Dricus Du Plessis by decision in August 2025, and fans expected a quick turnaround.

• Instead, his combination of injury, surgery, and religious commitments has kept him relatively inactive , continuing the pattern of long gaps between his fights since 2022.

• This has turned “when khamzat chimaev next fight” into a regular forum and social media topic , with fans debating whether the layoff will help his recovery or hurt his momentum.

A typical fan sentiment right now could be summed up as:

“We finally got him as champ, and now we might have to wait until at least April 2026 just to see the first title defense.”

Fast Facts (At a Glance)

• Official next fight date: Not announced yet.

• Target timeframe: After Ramadan 2026 → April 2026 or later.

• Reason for delay: Minor foot surgery + Chimaev choosing not to fight during Ramadan.

• Most likely opponent (rumored/expected): Nassourdine Imavov , as top middleweight contender.

• Status: UFC middleweight champion awaiting first title defense.

Important Note

Until the UFC makes an official announcement , all dates and opponent talk remain projections and strong rumors , not locked-in facts. For the absolute latest, keep an eye on UFC’s official channels and major MMA news outlets.

TL;DR:
There is still no confirmed date for Khamzat Chimaev’s next fight, but the best current information suggests his first middleweight title defense will come after Ramadan 2026, likely April or later , with Nassourdine Imavov widely viewed as the leading candidate for that bout.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.