Khamzat Chimaev’s next fight does not have an officially announced date yet as of February 2026, but the latest updates point to a return no earlier than April 2026 , likely for his first middleweight title defense.

Quick Scoop: When Is Khamzat’s Next Fight?

  • Khamzat revealed he needs a small operation on his foot , which pushed back his return.
  • He has said he will start preparing after Ramadan 2026 , which runs from about 17 February to mid‑March.
  • Because of the surgery plus Ramadan, most reliable reports expect his first title defense in April 2026 or later , not earlier.
  • As of early 2026, the UFC has not officially announced a date or event , so anything more specific is speculation.

Possible Opponent And Timing Buzz

  • Chimaev is now the UFC middleweight champion , after beating Dricus Du Plessis for the belt in August.
  • Several outlets and analysts suggest his likely first defense could be against Nassourdine Imavov , who’s riding a strong win streak at middleweight.
  • Chimaev himself has hinted at a post‑Ramadan title defense in 2026 , lining up with that April‑or‑later window.

In forum‑style chatter, fans are basically saying: “Circle spring–summer 2026, wait for the UFC to lock in the opponent and card, and be ready for a big PPV headliner.”

What To Watch For Next

  • Check UFC press conferences and social channels for a PPV card in Q2 2026 that’s missing a main event —that’s the kind of slot a Chimaev title fight usually fills.
  • Keep an eye on training‑camp footage and callouts from Imavov and other top middleweight contenders , as that’s often where hints drop before the official poster.

TL;DR: If you’re searching “when is khamzat next fight,” the honest answer is: no official date yet , but all credible signs point to his first middleweight title defense happening sometime after Ramadan 2026, with April or later looking realistic.

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