Chimaev’s Middleweight Title Defense Timeline Shifts
Khamzat Chimaev's first middleweight title defense timeline is uncertain after Dricus du Plessis' injury. Contenders Reinier de Ridder and Nassourdine Imavov vie for the shot, with UFC 321 scheduled for October 25.
The path to Khamzat Chimaev’s first middleweight title defense has shifted dramatically since he captured the belt. He defeated Dricus du Plessis by unanimous decision at UFC 319, with all three judges scoring the fight 50-44 in his favor. The victory ended du Plessis’ reign and gave Chimaev a record of 15-0. Dana White stated that Chimaev would face the winner of the subsequent title fight, but that specific plan collapsed when du Plessis suffered an injury. This left the champion without a scheduled opponent for his first defense, creating a vacuum in the division.
Contenders And Confusion
Reinier de Ridder emerged as the primary challenger after calling for a title shot at UFC 321. He argued that his recent wins over Kevin Holland, Bo Nickal, and Robert Whittaker made him the logical choice. De Ridder claimed he was "100 percent ready" for the October event, emphasizing his grappling skills as a counter to Chimaev’s ground game. However, Kamaru Usman disagreed, asserting on the Pound 4 Pound podcast that Nassourdine Imavov deserved the shot more. Usman pointed to Imavov’s victories over Jared Cannonier and Israel Adesanya as proof of his readiness. Henry Cejudo sided with Usman initially but later suggested the UFC might prioritize performance over merit, potentially looking at de Ridder or Anthony Hernandez instead.
The confusion deepened because Chimaev himself seemed indifferent to the specific opponent. In earlier interviews, he stated that weight class did not matter to him and that he simply wanted a fight. This attitude contrasts with the current situation where the identity of the challenger is a hot topic among former champions. The division is now split between those who believe Imavov’s resume warrants the bout and those who think de Ridder’s recent activity makes him the better pick. I find it frustrating that the promotion has not clarified which criteria they are using to select the next contender.
Scheduling And Stakes
UFC 321 is scheduled for October 25, with a heavyweight title fight between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane headlining the card. If Chimaev fights, he would slot into the co-main event. De Ridder believes he can handle Chimaev’s cardio, noting that while Chimaev looked strong against du Plessis, he needs further testing. The former ONE Championship champ warned about his "sneaky stuff from the bottom," suggesting he could turn the fight around if taken down. Meanwhile, Makhachev mentioned that a superfight against Chimaev is not out of the question, though he declined to commit to anything before his own next bout.
The timeline remains fluid because no official pairing has been announced yet. Fans are left wondering whether the interim belt will be involved or if the main title moves directly to the next available contender. I suspect the UFC will wait until the last minute to decide, prioritizing television appeal over strict ranking order. Whether Imavov or de Ridder gets the call, the stakes are high for Chimaev’s legacy. The Chechen fighter has never lost, and this defense will determine if his dominance is sustainable or just a streak. Who should really get the chance to stop the undefeated run?
