Khamzat Chimaev ‘Welcomed’ By Another New Champ To Pursue Double-Champ Dreams, As Super-Fight Beckons

To get the undisputed championship gold is every UFC fighter’s dream. But why stop there? Many have had kept to the ‘champ champ’ dreams and pursued a second title as well. UFC Execs have a restrictive pause on it, yet the dominant Khamzat Chimaev is poised for such a second title. If he chooses to do it at the 205-pound mark, Magomed Ankalaev welcomes it wholeheartedly.

Magomed Ankalaev has had a remarkable series of performances following his unexpected debut loss to Paul Craig, which came by way of a submission. He dethroned Alex Pereira’s triple-KO threat earlier this year in a five-round decision. He will rematch him at UFC 320 PPV in October.

Team Gorets’ standout “Big Ank” is part of the Caucasus region mountain chain, just like Chimaev, who has proved their dominance in the roster and become champion. As such, he is yet to face someone with the forward pressure like ‘Borz’ and thinks that stylistically, he vs. Chimaev would have super-fight potential.

I’m still in the division [205]…If someone wants to move up and test my weight class, I always say ‘Welcome’. If [Chimaev] moves up, he move up. No problem.

Magomed Ankalaev to Sport24Ru (H/T: Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) on X)

Magomed Ankalaev says the rematch with Alex Pereira will be 'much easier' than the first fight 👀

"I actually want him to come into this fight 100% so there are no questions about the outcome. I don't want to hear talk like last time about him not being ready or something not… pic.twitter.com/pcgMSOfbKI

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 25, 2025

Khamzat Chimaev captured the UFC middleweight gold in a drab domination at the August 16 PPV headliner in Chicago. Before that, he had fought at 170lbs as well and hasn’t closed the door on it yet. Additionally, Borz recently said he’s open to fighting for yet another belt at light heavyweight in the future, as well as facing Islam Makhachev to become the #1 Pound-for-pound sensation.

Both men can pressure and defend TDs at the top level and have enormous force. So stylistically, he versus Ankalaev could be quite a matchup.

Khamzat Chimaev has options for next fight

Magomed Ankalaev could prove a stiff test, but if history has taught anything, it’s that fight fans are not always keen on intelligent, wrestle-heavy fights.

In just a few days, Chimaev has emerged as one of the most intriguing stories in the UFC going forward. His utter domination of Dricus Du Plessis, who had seemed unbeatable due to a head-first switch-strike miracle and modest wrestling/anti-wrestling, opens up multiple options for him across the board.

As such, Khamzat Chimaev can fight in three different weight classes. Chimaev has persistently showcased his aspiration to attain the distinction of a three-weight world champion, and his initial momentum in the promotion made many believe so. This could potentially lead him back to the welterweight division, where he has previously competed, to face the winner of Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev.

On the flip side, there’s quite a few names at middleweight, including Reinier de Ridder, who is prepping for him. RDR’s next matchup, along with the UFC Paris headliner, is sure to scoop out a clear 185-pound top contender for Chimaev.

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