Nassourdine Imavov has expressed his concerns about the delays in scheduling his anticipated title fight against Khamzat Chimaev. The UFC middleweight contender revealed that the promotion had considered two potential dates for the matchup, but Chimaev’s recent injury has postponed any official announcements.
Imavov, who has secured five consecutive victories against top-10 opponents, was widely viewed as the frontrunner for the next title shot. He stated that he and his team believe they deserve the opportunity and that the UFC was initially eager to arrange the fight. “So, no final news yet,” Imavov told MMA Fighting. “One of the last discussions I had with them was with Hunter Campbell and Mick Maynard in Doha, Qatar, when it was a Doha event. They wanted to schedule the fight against Khamzat for December, then for February, but then Khamzat got injured and they were considering when they can have this fight.”
Despite the uncertainty, Imavov has maintained communication with UFC officials. He mentioned that discussions with matchmaker Mick Maynard are ongoing, but a final agreement has not yet been reached.
Chimaev, who captured the middleweight title at UFC 319 on August 15, 2025, after defeating Dricus du Plessis decisively, also addressed the potential fight with Imavov. In a recent interview with ESPN, Chimaev expressed some hesitation about facing Imavov due to their friendly relationship and shared cultural background. “He’s a good guy. I know him, he knows me,” Chimaev said. “I don’t want to fight this guy, because we know each other. […] But if the UFC wants it, I’m never going to say no.”
Imavov echoed Chimaev’s sentiments, stating that both fighters are willing to compete if the UFC decides to proceed with the matchup. “I 100 percent agree with him,” Imavov said. “We are in the same position, we know each other. But like he said, if the UFC wants to put this fight together, they will go in, and that’s it.”
The situation in the UFC middleweight division has become more complex following recent events. After Imavov’s dominant decision win over Caio Borralho in September, Sean Strickland’s victory over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston has raised discussions about Strickland potentially bypassing Imavov for a title shot.
Additionally, Chimaev has expressed interest in moving up to the light heavyweight division, targeting a superfight with current champion Alex Pereira. UFC CEO Dana White has stated he prefers fighters to defend their titles before moving up in weight. “I know him, he’s really heavy for the middleweight division, and that’s why he wants to go up to 205,” Imavov explained. He acknowledged that while Chimaev might have the star power to make a move without defending, the final decision rests with the UFC.
As the middleweight title picture continues to evolve, Imavov remains prepared for any opportunity that may arise. “It will be the choice of the UFC. And me? I’m ready for whatever,” he concluded.
