Khamzat Chimaev releases cryptic statement following UFC 328 defeat

Khamzat Chimaev's future remains uncertain after UFC 328. | Getty/UFC Khamzat Chimaev was a man of few words following his upset loss to Sean Strickland in the UFC 328 main event. After relinquishing the middleweight title in a split-decision defeat on Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Chimaev exited the Octagon without doing the post-fight interview that is typical of main event competitors.

While “Borz” didn’t speak in the immediate aftermath of his first career loss, he did release a statement on social media implying that he might not be done in the middleweight division. “[ Sean Strickland ] see you soon again,” Chimaev wrote on X. @SStricklandMMA see you soon again 🫡— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) May 10, 2026 Moving on Up?

Chimaev and Strickland are former training partners, so it’s possible that the Chechen standout could be referencing a future sparring session rather than a title rematch. Chimaev’s future plans are also murky based on what UFC CEO Dana White said at Saturday’s post-fight press conference. “[Khamzat] literally walked up to me after the fight and said ‘I want to move up.

I don’t want to fight in this weight class anymore,’” White revealed. Chimaev has hinted at a move to 205 pounds on multiple occasions, including callouts of ex-light heavyweight king Alex Pereira . Chimaev, who previously fought at 170 pounds, appeared to endure a difficult weight cut ahead of UFC 328.