Khamzat Chimaev backed to become a three-division champ by UFC star who’s seen him spar heavyweights

Beneil Dariush sees plenty of success in Khamzat Chimaev’s future.

The former UFC middleweight champion moved up to his current division after struggling to make weight at 170 pounds.

A similar issue was labeled the reason behind the end of his reign this past May, when Sean Strickland beat Chimaev at UFC 328 to become a two-time titleholder.

Talk of another move up has halted while ‘Borz’ pursues his chance to get revenge on the American champ, but Dariush thinks it would be wise for Chimaev to reconsider staying at his current weight.

'Borz' failed to become welterweight champion and lost in his first middleweight title defense after difficulty making weight…

When he first began to tear through opponents on MMA’s biggest stage, Chimaev suggested weight was no hurdle for his grand ambitions inside the cage.

The Chechen star outlined plans to break history with his achievements, targeting titles in numerous divisions.

Chimaev dominated Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 to collect his first belt at middleweight. It remains to be seen when he will complete what looks to be an inevitable switch to light heavyweight, and whether a further climb to join the likes of Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane could be on the cards.

Having seen the footage of Chimaev training with some heavyweights in the gym, Dariush thinks ‘Borz’ has what it takes.

“If I’m being honest, I think Khamzat should go to 205 (pounds),” Dariush said during an interview on Helen Yee’s YouTube channel.

“I think, obviously, he was complaining about the weight cut. And I think at 205, he would do super well, too. Like, who in the 205 division is going to really give him a hard time?

“He’s going to be just as big. He’s not going to have an issue with size. He’s going to have better cardio because his weight cut’s not going to be miserable.

“He had the ’85 title, he can get the 205 title, and I know he’s aiming for three belts,” Dariush continued. “You know, in the future, he could be a heavyweight. I see him sparring with heavyweights all the time.”

Chimaev has yet to have his return added to the calendar and looks set to miss out on his desired rematch with Strickland for the time being.

If the champ can resolve his ongoing pay dispute with the UFC, he is expected to defend his title against Nassourdine Imavov in early 2027.