UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier has voiced his opinion that Khamzat Chimaev would be well-suited if he transitioned to the UFC’s light heavyweight division. Chimaev, currently the UFC middleweight champion, is considering a shift to 205 pounds as he seeks to capture a second world title while holding onto his existing 185-pound crown.
After winning the middleweight championship by defeating Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 last year, Chimaev has repeatedly hinted at moving up to light heavyweight. Although he has not fought at this weight in his professional MMA career, he expresses confidence in his ability to compete there and is eager to challenge Alex Pereira.
Despite UFC President Dana White’s reluctance to allow Chimaev to jump to light heavyweight before defending his title, Cormier, a former light heavyweight champion himself, believes Chimaev’s size and skill could make a move feasible.
Assessing Chimaev’s Physicality Based on Sparring with Light Heavyweights
In a recent discussion on his YouTube channel, Daniel Cormier shared his observations of Khamzat Chimaev during sparring sessions with established light heavyweight fighters. He compared Chimaev’s physical presence and striking ability against two key divisional figures, Luke Rockhold and Khalil Rountree Jr.
So I thought that if Khamzat was to fight at 205, he’d be running against guys who would be just too big for him. At some point, that has to become an issue. Then I saw a video of him sparring with Khalil Rountree,
Cormier said.
His back looked massive, looks like a 205-pound fighter already! And then I watched a video of him sparring with Luke Rockhold, who is all of 6’4
, 220 pounds right now… Khamzat Chimaev looked just as big, if not bigger. You watch him and Khalil Rountree striking, and it looks to me like Khamzat is winning the striking. He’s kicking with the same power as Luke.
I’ve got to be honest, I don’t know that this kid couldn’t fight at 205 pounds.
Imagining a Clash Between Chimaev and Current Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira
Cormier further contemplated a potential matchup between Chimaev and the reigning light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, highlighting how their contrasting styles could produce a compelling fight. Pereira is known for his power striking and strong takedown defense but does not typically utilize wrestling in his approach.
When you look at Alex Pereira, he’s huge, massive, but he still doesn’t wrestle. He’s shown takedown defense, and if he hits you he can put you out completely, you’re done,
Cormier noted.
But we’ve seen what Khamzat has done to guys without wrestling backgrounds.
Potential Impact of Chimaev’s Move and What Fans Can Expect
Khamzat Chimaev’s interest in stepping into the light heavyweight division could significantly reshape UFC’s competitive landscape. If he manages to secure a victory at 205 pounds against top contenders like Alex Pereira, it would position him as a dominant force across multiple weight classes. However, the UFC’s leadership remains cautious, particularly regarding the timing of such a move prior to defending the middleweight crown.
With Daniel Cormier’s endorsement adding weight to the conversation, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Chimaev will pursue this challenging path and how it might affect future title matchups within the division.
