What is next for the UFC middleweight division?

Khamzat Chimaev Injury suspension: Khamzat Chimaev has been given a 16-month medical suspension after suffering injuries in his fight against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319.

Chimaev won against Du Plessis by unanimous decision on August 16, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago, becoming the undisputed UFC middleweight champion. He won by unanimous decision against all three judges. The win extended Chimaev’s UFC record to 15–0.

Du Plessis suffered his first UFC loss and now holds a professional record of 23–3. Chimaev dominated Du Plessis during most of the fight, landing 12 of 17 takedowns and controlling 84% of the fight time. Despite his victory, injuries sustained in the fight have sidelined Chimaev until his medical suspension is completed.

Khamzat Chimaev Injury suspension: What is next for the UFC middleweight division?

Right now, the UFC middleweight division is in a complicated spot after Khamzat Chimaev’s 16-month medical suspension.

Chimaev is the undisputed champion, but his layoff means the belt will be inactive for more than a year. That raises the question of whether the UFC should create an interim title to keep the division moving. In UFC history, when champions are sidelined, the UFC often creates interim titles to keep divisions active.

This happened before with fighters like Randy Couture (UFC 43, 2003) and, more recently, Tom Aspinall, who won an interim belt at UFC 295 when Jon Jones was injured. Aspinall’s case shows the UFC isn’t afraid to let interim champs defend their titles.

Renan Barao won two times as Dominick Cruz was hurt defending his interim bantamweight title. He eventually got promoted to undisputed champion.

If the UFC follows this route for middleweight:

• An interim middleweight championship fight could be set up within the next year if Chimaev cannot defend by the 18-month mark.
• If Chimaev is still inactive by 24 months, the UFC could strip him and let the interim champ become undisputed.
• On return, Chimaev would get a title unification fight against whoever holds the belt, just like UFC has done in past divisions.

So the middleweight division’s future likely depends on whether the UFC introduces an interim title while Chimaev recovers, following the same path seen in heavyweight (Aspinall) and bantamweight (Barao).

FAQs

Q. What is Khamzat Chimaev suffering from? 

A. Khamzat Chimaev will be out for 16 month medical suspension after suffering injuries.

Q. Is Chimaev retiring? 

A. No, Khamzat Chimaev has not officially retired from fighting but will be out for 16 months.

Q. Is Khamzat Chimaev’s son sick? 

A. “He has just one kidney, which causes him problems.” Chimaev went on to explain that he doesn’t understand the term used for this condition in English, but many children have it.

Q. Why does Khamzat have a cleft lip? 

A. When Khamzat was 2 years old, he fell down a concrete staircase, which caused a fractured lip, the loss of several teeth, and damage to his nose. 

Q. Has Khamzat Chimaev been to India? 

A. Yes, Khamzat Chimaev has competed in India. He participated in the BRAVE CF 20 event, which was held in Hyderabad. In the Event, Chimaev defeated Sidney Wheeler in the first round.

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