Chimaev's first title defense

[Ladder Master]

He gets stripped in 2026 for inactivity.

 

[Alpha_T83]

The theory I keep seeing on here is that Topuria & Chimaev should be fighting very early in 2026, to headline some of the first cards on Paramount+.

In practice, I wouldn't expect to see Khamzat fight with anything less than 10 months between fights.

 

[Guy LeDouche]

Why'd you say it like that? You know he wasn't elected into his position as MW Champ right?

Right you are Ken...

No, but the incessant pandering by fans and media to make nonstop excuses for this guy where he can milk the belt and hold up an entire division with inactivity is pretty worrisome and not a fun situation to be in.

 

[Morris88]

No, but the incessant pandering by fans and media to make nonstop excuses for this guy where he can milk the belt and hold up an entire division with inactivity is pretty worrisome and not a fun situation to be in.

Agree however this is a broader problem than just Khamzat. The whole thing needs a shake up, too much sitting out, inactivity and rank squatting

 

[Guy LeDouche]

Agree however this is a broader problem than just Khamzat. The whole thing needs a shake up, too much sitting out, inactivity and rank squatting

Agreed!
This needs to change on a much larger scale.
However my issue is with the fans, the one in particular that seem to perpetuate and reward this type of promotion based on either memes or jokes. It’s becoming less and less about who’s the best and more about who can generate the most online buzz…..regardless of merit or skill.

 

[cburm]

Well Khamzat is trying to fight again this year ... It's not up to him.

So probably 2026 after Ramadan. Can't have him cleaning out his division and leaving it empty for years thatle ruin dana white...

 

[Urluberluu]

He will be the most inactive champ in the ufc
Next fight is probably end of 2026

 

[Benoitthegr8]

About 6 months after they award someone else the UFC Interim MW Belt

 

[mogul]

He’s the champion and there seems to be no hype around it

Crazy

 

[balkanbomber85]

It will be funny when his first defense is actually only in June or July 2026, and the Bathtubbers—who have been ultra loud and critical of Ilia for not fighting anymore in 2025 (his fight was seven weeks before Kamzats)—defend this with mental gymnastics, coming up with hundreds of excuses for why it’s okay that he waited ten to eleven months, but it wasn’t okay for Ilia.

 

[188912345]

I had a nightmare last night that he lost to Imavov, without going for a single takedown.

It's a shame they didn't let him defend in October, MW has a lot of contenders now.

Unfortunately there are limited spots for big fights.

 

[JakePaulMMA]

We're just not educated enough in title reigns to appropriately enjoy this level of inactivity

Wiki entry gonna read: Khamzat Chimaev UFC Champion, undefeated for over 10 years!

 

[Tweak896]

Honestly think MW is an easy cut for Khamzat, now supposedly he doesn't have a visa issue. I'm assuming UFC decides his activity level now besides health. What a waste of a career if he go 1-2x a year from here on out.

 

[El Fernas]

Fights dont get made 1 year in advance, buddeh.

 

[Mike]

Honestly think MW is an easy cut for Khamzat, now supposedly he doesn't have a visa issue. I'm assuming UFC decides his activity level now besides health. What a waste of a career if he go 1-2x a year from here on out.

Most champs in the modern era are going to be 1-2 defenses once you factor in injuries and cancelled fights. How often do we really see champs defending more often than that? It happens but it's notable and talked about when it does like Poatan's run for example.

 

[Rampage_Jackson]

BAHAHAHAHAHAH

PROBABLY NEVER RIGHT GUYS

tHiS gUy NeVeR fIgHtS

thats you guys. thats me mocking you all. you fucking retards.

 

[Tweak896]

Most champs in the modern era are going to be 1-2 defenses once you factor in injuries and cancelled fights. How often do we really see champs defending more often than that? It happens but it's notable and talked about when it does like Poatan's run for example.

It's really unfortunate. Pereira was only able to even take 3 last year because they were last minute notice fights the UFC needed to fill a main event for, then it was like "spectacular" for mma fans. We used to see champs go 3 in a year pretty often. Not to mention contenders sitting around.

Even a 2 fight a year schedule is 6 months before fight 1, 6 months after fight 1, 6 months after fight 2. So even the gap of time of 2 fights a year is crazy. There is essentially an 18 month window that fans will see that fighter actually fight. Then throw in an injury or a rematch, then rank squatters. It's wild how much people have accepted today.

 

[octagonation]

Love how people just go with their own created assumptions,lame fucks

This. The dude just fought 5 weeks ago what is with all this doom and gloom inactivity claims.

Chimaev is gonna fight in January most likely.

Let the guy first run into inactive title reign before calling him out for it

 

[richardjohnson]

Boring AF in AND out of the octagon. But apparently people like boring these days.

This is just rich. One uneventful fight and now he’s “boring AF” despite being labelled one of the most exciting fighters for years now. Nice.

 

[Girubgez]

Chimaev was bragging how much money he has made even before his contender fight. Idk what activity some naive people expect from him. If anything, he's gonna protect his 0 even more now, considering that's the most important factor in value of his brand.