Picture this: a fresh UFC champion ditching his division to eye a bigger prize elsewhere – it's the stuff of epic dreams, isn't it? But here's where it gets controversial – is this trend hurting the sport, or is it just smart strategy? Stick around, because most fighters aren't talking about it, but Brendan Allen is calling it out loud and clear.
Jesse Holland, a seasoned veteran in combat sports journalism, has been delivering the latest on MMA, pro wrestling, and boxing since 2004, bringing decades of insight to the table.
It seems like sticking to your weight class is becoming a thing of the past these days. Just look at Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev, who've climbed the scales to new heights, while Alex Pereira and Khamzat Chimaev fantasize about adding extra gold at heavier weights. For newcomers to MMA, this means fighters are increasingly skipping the grind of defending their current titles to aim for multi-division stardom, often chasing bigger paydays or tougher challenges. Maybe it's time to revive the Open Weight Grand Prix from PRIDE FC's glory days – that old-school tournament where size didn't matter, and anything could happen in the cage.
To give these athletes credit, this isn't a new phenomenon; it's been brewing for years, with past examples like Johny Hendricks eyeing higher-ups.
Still, Brendan Allen, the star of UFC Vancouver's main event, just can't wrap his head around Khamzat Chimaev's bizarre shoutout to Alex Pereira. After all, 'Borz' just clinched the 185-pound belt and hasn't even defended it once. And this is the part most people miss – the middleweight scene is packed with hungry contenders just itching for their shot, including Allen himself.
Chimaev shared his ambitions with interviewer Aslanbek Badaev via Red Corner MMA, saying, 'If you ask me, I'd absolutely jump at the chance for a second belt. It's no big secret that the current 205-pound champ would be a fantastic matchup for me, except maybe if I got too wild in the stand-up. They claim he packs a serious punch, but I've never been outpowered. Plus, he fought at 185 before moving up to 205, so I'd love to test myself at light heavyweight.'
Allen, chatting with reporters during UFC Vancouver's media day (courtesy of MMA Junkie), dismissed it as typical Chimaev hype: 'In my view, it's just part of Khamzat's style – he talks a ton and grabs attention. Not quite at Conor's level, but similar, you know? Conor was always yapping to stay in the spotlight. Obviously, Khamzat's not terrible; he doesn't spout off recklessly as much, but still. He needs to prove himself in our division first. He's not some massive 185-pounder who struggled with weight like Alex did to reach the title – where it's like, 'Okay, I won, defended once, time to climb.' It's odd, and I doubt it's happening anytime soon.'
For clarity, a title defense means the champion fights again to keep their belt, proving they're the best over time, which is crucial in building a division's credibility.
Chimaev secured victory over Dricus Du Plessis to claim the middleweight crown at UFC 319, showcasing his dominance in a one-sided affair.
As for the 29-year-old Allen, with a record of 25-7, he's bounced back from consecutive defeats to Nassourdine Imavov and Anthony Hernandez. Now, he could rocket back into contention with a stunning win over top-ranked contender Reinier de Ridder in the UFC Vancouver headliner this weekend in Canada.
To check out the full UFC Vancouver lineup on ESPN+, head over here.
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What do you think – is Chimaev's eagerness to jump divisions a bold move or a slap in the face to his current titleholders? Should fighters like him focus on dominating their weight class first, or is multi-belt chasing the future of MMA? And here's a controversial twist: maybe this trend actually spices up the sport by creating more exciting matchups. Agree or disagree? Drop your hot takes in the comments below!
