Updated

Updated · NYFights · Sep 3

Khamzat Chimaev Targets Caio Borralho for Next Fight as Sean Strickland Remains Sidelined

Updated

Updated · NYFights · Sep 3

Khamzat Chimaev Targets Caio Borralho for Next Fight as Sean Strickland Remains Sidelined

Q: Will Chimaev's notorious weight-cutting struggles sabotage this highly anticipated middleweight clash before they even step into the octagon?

Yes, it is the biggest risk to the fight, but not yet a reason to think it will collapse. Chimaev’s last middleweight cut was severe enough to become a central explanation for his loss to Sean Strickland. Multiple voices around him have described a disastrous final stretch: coach Murad Bichuev said Chimaev had been bulking for a possible light-heavyweight fight with Jiri Prochazka before being switched back to 185 on short notice, while T.J. Dillashaw said the cut left him vomiting bile and badly depleted. Dana White then publicly floated a move to 205 pounds, and Chimaev’s camp also suggested middleweight might no longer be ideal. That makes any new 185-pound booking inherently uncertain. If Chimaev takes Borralho in November or December, the key issue is whether he starts camp lighter and manages the final week differently. Arman Tsarukyan said Chimaev can still make 185, but only with adjustments so he is not shedding such a large amount at the end. Chimaev himself has signaled he intends to stay at middleweight “until he breaks everybody,” which suggests he believes the last cut was a fixable mistake, not proof he can no longer make the class. For now, the more accurate reading is that the fight is viable but fragile. Borralho appears healthy enough after rib surgery and wants the matchup. Chimaev is active and publicly calling for it. But until contracts are signed and weigh-in week passes, his history makes the weight cut the single biggest threat to the matchup.

3 articles · Updated · NYFights · Sep 3

Chimaev signaled a move toward Borralho with a one-word X post — “Caio” — after saying he was done waiting for a rematch with Sean Strickland.
Strickland’s shoulder injury and pursuit of other late-year options pushed Chimaev to pivot after losing his middleweight title to Strickland by split decision, 47-48, 48-47, 48-47, at UFC 328.
Borralho quickly embraced the callout, proposing Madison Square Garden in November for UFC 334 or T-Mobile Arena in December for UFC 335, though the UFC has not confirmed the matchup.
The target also revives uncertainty over Chimaev’s weight class: Dana White and Chimaev’s team had pointed him toward 205 pounds after a difficult cut at UFC 328.
Chimaev is staying active while waiting, coming off a RAF 10 wrestling win over Dillon Danis and booked to face Tyron Woodley on Saturday and Gilbert Burns on Sept. 18.