Chimaev's return shortlist halved as Borralho and Du Plessis ruled out injured

Khamzat Chimaev’s path back to the UFC middleweight division has grown more complicated, with two of his four shortlisted opponents now ruled out due to injury. The former champion told Red Corner MMA that the UFC informed him Caio Borralho and Dricus Du Plessis are both currently sidelined.

Chimaev had recently named Borralho, Du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov, and Sean Strickland as potential next opponents. Borralho had already accepted the callout, proposing a November bout at Madison Square Garden, but that matchup is now off the table. Du Plessis, the man Chimaev defeated to claim the title, is also unavailable.

That leaves Imavov and Strickland as the remaining options — though those two are expected to meet each other for the middleweight title. Chimaev acknowledged Imavov as a worthy contender but made clear he would step in if that fight falls through.

“I call out everyone,” Chimaev said. “I want to come back as soon as possible. Earlier, I said that I want to return in October, and I called Hunter. They told me that Caio and Du Plessis are injured. We’ll see what happens; I don’t know exactly. Maybe Imavov and Strickland won’t fight and I will be ready.”

Chimaev (15-1) captured the middleweight belt last year with a dominant unanimous decision over Du Plessis. He entered his first title defence against Strickland this past May as a heavy favourite, but visibly fatigued over the course of the fight and suffered the first professional loss of his career in what was widely considered one of the year’s biggest upsets.

Despite UFC CEO Dana White suggesting Chimaev might move up in weight following that defeat, the Chechen-born fighter has consistently reaffirmed his intention to remain at 185 pounds and reclaim the title he lost.