The No. 2-ranked UFC middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov, who is riding a five-fight win streak, has revealed that his fight with championKhamzat Chimaevwas targeted for December 2025, then February 2026. However, the bout did not materialize despite the initial talks due to Chimaev’s injury.
Khamzat Chimaev revealed he recently had minor surgery to repair an injury in his foot, and says he plans to make his return sometime after Ramadan.We can expect Borz to return sometime after mid-March 👀🐺pic.twitter.com/0BKgGdzHmn
The Chechen-born Emirati has a minor foot injury for which he had to undergo surgery. Following recovery, he is expected to make his first title defense post-Ramadan.
Imavov was called out by “Borz” previously, who asked him towork on his wrestlingbefore they potentially lock horns.
Recently, “The Sniper” appeared in an interview with MMA Fighting, where he revealed that the UFC brass are interested in giving him the next title shot. However, to date, nothing has been finalized, and no contracts have been signed. He said:
“So, no final news yet, no contract signed. One of the last discussions I had was withHunter Campbelland Mick Maynard during UFC Qatar, and they told me that they want to schedule the fight against Khamzat for December, then for February. But Khamzat got injured… We spoke recently with matchmaker Mick Maynard, and they want to see the fight happen, but nothing is confirmed yet. No final approval.”
Check out Nassourdine Imavov’s comments below:
Imavov says Khamzat fight was targeted for December, then February, but fell through due to Khamzat’s injury 👀“No final news yet, no contract signed.”“They wanted to schedule the fight for December, then for February. But Khamzat got injured. We spoke recently with Mick…pic.twitter.com/wGhSK0QdKV
In the same interview, Imavov revealed that his team’s last conversation with the UFC matchmakers about the Chimaev fight was before Sean Strickland’s big win at UFC Houston.
This past weekend, afterSean Stricklandreturned to winning ways by dismantling Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston, he wasted no time in calling out Khamzat Chimaev.
Source: LowKickMMA.com
