Chimaev backed for light heavyweight title run

Beneil Dariush believes Chimaev could thrive at 205 pounds and potentially move up to heavyweight.

An experienced lightweight fighter believes that Khamzat Chimaev could make quite a splash in the light heavyweight division and might even go on to achieve success at a higher weight class.

Khamzat Chimaev lost the UFC middleweight title in May after a thrilling bout against Sean Strickland. Dana White subsequently announced that Khamzat Chimaev had reportedly stated after the fight that he no longer wanted to compete in the middleweight division and would like to switch divisions. However, this changed again, and he called for a title rematch relatively quickly. In the meantime, though, he seems to have put that fight behind him, which is why many are wondering why he doesn’t just move up to light heavyweight. In an interview with Helen Yee, Beneil Dariush explained that, from his perspective, Khamzat Chimaev shouldn’t have any problems in that division:

“I think, obviously, he was complaining about the weight cut. And I think at 205, he would do super well, too. Like, who in the 205 division is going to really give him a hard time? He’s going to be just as big. He’s not going to have an issue with size. He’s going to have better cardio because his weight cut’s not going to be miserable. He had the ’85 title, he can get the 205 title, and I know he’s aiming for three belts. You know, in the future, he could be a heavyweight. I see him sparring with heavyweights all the time”

It's still unclear when Khamzat Chimaev might have his next fight. Sean Strickland is currently in a minor dispute with the UFC over his pay, so that could take a little while. The question is whether the current titleholder will stay in the UFC and defend his title or whether he’ll relinquish it. Right now, Nassourdine Imavov is considered the No. 1 contender, but that could change if the title is relinquished. What do you think?