Khamzat Chimaev tells Dana White new plan moments after Sean Strickland defeat at UFC 328

Khamzat Chimaev is planning to move up to light heavyweight following his defeat to Sean Strickland at UFC 328.

Chimaev suffered the first defeat of his career in a five-round war with Strickland on Saturday night.

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The 32-year-old also lost his UFC Middleweight belt, but is not planning on getting it back anytime soon.

Following UFC 328, Dana White told his press conference that Chimaev told him straight after the fight he wants to move up to 205lbs.

Revealing what the 15-1 fighter said, the UFC CEO and president said: “I don’t want to fight [here] again. I want to move up.

“Ever since Fight Island, he’s gone on a run, he’s undefeated, won the world title. He did everything he’s said he’s going to do. But with the level of success, and lifestyle, it makes it tough.”

Carlos Ulberg is the reigning champion at light heavyweight, claiming the vacant title in April.

Though he tore his ACL in the process and is expected to be out for a considerable period of time.

Chimaev concerns

Even after weighing in for his title defence against Strickland, there were concerns over Chimaev’s condition.

There were fears he looked depleted after successfully making the 185lb limit.

There was also a slew of conspiracy theories online that Chimaev had not in fact made weight, something that White vehemently hit back at.

“You know the New Jersey State Athletic Commission oversees the weigh-ins, right?” He said.

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“Jeremy Stephens missed weight by four pounds and they had to cut a deal. But for Khamzat they’re just going to let him not make weight?

“Jersey and New York are two of the toughest commissions in the country.

“The internet is f****** stupid, I don’t know what to tell you other than that… I don’t know [why they used a manual scale instead of a digital one].

“Listen, Monday morning at 9.02 call the New Jersey Athletic Commission and ask them about that. I have nothing to do with any of that stuff.”

Strickland, who regained the middleweight belt, also lent into the theories by claiming his opponent did not make weight.

“Show of hands, who thinks he missed weight?” Strickland said when White’s comments were put to him.

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“His scale was going ‘ding ding ding ding ding’. He 1,000 per cent missed weight.

“We had a guy from my camp watching him on the check scale when he stepped on and his whole camp said ‘f***‘ and they dragged him up because he was running out of time. He 1,000 per cent missed weight.

“I don’t b**** about it, whatever, be a heavyweight I don’t care. But at the end of the day he said he might want to move up to 205lb, and he should, dude.”