Rumored Chimaev vs Imavov is now being planned for a title fight, early stages

[Unheralded Truth]

After having planned a February/March bout with Reinier de Ridder that recently got wasted, the UFC are rumored to have accepted now that Imavov is next to challenge Chimaev.

However, they want to give him the time to adapt for this tough task and are looking at May as the earliest date:

 

[JKS]

May? That long till next Chimaev fight.

 

[jeff7b9]

May? That long till next Chimaev fight.

I am in the beginning stages of worrying that we are in for a HUGE lull in action between now and the White House card

HW and LHW are both looking at potential inactive periods

MW may = 7-8 months away

WW mega fight coming up, that's awesome.

LW = nothing booked and seems Paddy may be getting a shot without a top 5 win. Meh.

FW - anything ?

BW and Fly coming up- ok. Not super intriguing matchups but at least the divisions are moving. I guess I need to try to convince myself to consider Joshua Van a threat.... is he? Pantoja has looked pretty solid.

BWB- probably gonna be a year or more between fights


.....

I have a Sneaking suspicion that we have some UFC shenanigans and interim belts in the future.

 

[JKS]

I am in the beginning stages of worrying that we are in for a HUGE lull in action between now and the White House card

HW and LHW are both looking at potential inactive periods

MW may = 7-8 months away

I think we'll get Aspinal/Gane booked pretty quick. And we know we'll get Topuira in January, more than likely. I think WW would be defended regularly if JDM wins. Matter of time will Volk is booked and BW should be defended quickly.

I think we wont get a LHW title fight will after white house.

 

[flektarn]

After having planned a February/March bout with Reinier de Ridder that recently got wasted, the UFC are rumored to have accepted now that Imavov is next to challenge Chimaev.

However, they want to give him the time to adapt for this tough task and are looking at May as the earliest date:

May

 

[jeff7b9]

I think we'll get Aspinal/Gane booked pretty quick. And we know we'll get Topuira in January, more than likely. I think WW would be defended regularly if JDM wins. Matter of time will Volk is booked and BW should be defended quickly.

I think we wont get a LHW title fight will after white house.

Awww.
Look at you with your glass half full outlook!!

Im cautiously optimistic that JDM and Islam will deliver us a great fight.

JDM has somehow managed to fly under the radar but he is quite a fun fighter. Beautiful footwork angles and mma adapted boxing.

Islam has not been tested that much of late and I think that fight has the potential to be a barnburner.

 

[Thy]

May? That long till next Chimaev fight.

If you're lucky. could easily be set for later or have something go wrong that pushes it back.

 

[octagonation]

May?

 

[Greyscale]

They could wait a little more until Imavov loses to someone as well.

 

[Staph infection]

Give us Chimaev vs Izzy. We need some stylistic matchups

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

lol May? What a joke.

 

[DecisionSplit]

The Paramount deal and White House card are sucking the life of the next few months of cards.

 

[HI SCOTT NEWMAN]

What? May? is this a joke?. ridiculous, why, just fight soon. May is 8 months away, no need to wait for so long.

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

I told him not to go to Bulgaria.

Bulgaria is cold, it's flu season.
Single Khamzat fight in 2026 around June confirmed.

 

[pistolmayne]

I can’t get excited about him fighting after that Dricus fight. Impressive, but if I’m being honest I have never gone back and watched it and probably never will. Chimiev vs Burns I’ve watched like 50 times though

 

[JoeRowe]

No reason Khamzat/Imavov shouldn't happen in FEB or even JAN.

 

[HI SCOTT NEWMAN]

I told him not to go to Bulgaria.

Terrible Woozy, you deserve a smacked bottom

 

[bmxkeeler]

This allows Khamzat to hit his 1 fight a year goal and then we can get another one from him in January 2027. Woot

 

[AL-Tappo McSnappo]

After having planned a February/March bout with Reinier de Ridder that recently got wasted, the UFC are rumored to have accepted now that Imavov is next to challenge Chimaev.

However, they want to give him the time to adapt for this tough task and are looking at May as the earliest date:

I hate the UFC wasting time, if Imamov is not ready, give the fight to Fluffy.

 

[flektarn]

I hate the UFC wasting time, if Imamov is not ready, give the fight to Fluffy.

usually not like the ufc to delay fights because of a contender. think there's more to it than that (i.e. it's bullshit)