Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev has never been shy about thinking big. Ahead of his middleweight title clash with Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319, the undefeated Chechen-Swedish phenom made it clear — winning one belt won’t be enough. His eyes are set on an unprecedented feat: becoming a UFC champion in three different weight classes.
The Master Plan
Chimaev’s current focus is the middleweight belt, but his roadmap doesn’t stop there. Once crowned, he plans to drop down to welterweight to face reigning champion Jack Della Maddalena, and then move up to light heavyweight to challenge the likes of Magomed Ankalaev or Alex Pereira.
“Middleweight is just the start. I want welterweight, I want light heavyweight. I want to be the first triple champion in UFC history,” Chimaev said during a recent media appearance.
A Historic Mountain to Climb
No fighter in UFC history has ever held titles in three weight classes. Only a handful — like Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Henry Cejudo — have managed two. To achieve three, Chimaev would need to overcome massive challenges:
- Weight Cuts & Size Disparity – Dropping to 170 lbs after bulking for 185 could test his body to the limit.
- Elite Competition – All three divisions are stacked with champions and contenders who bring vastly different threats.
- Scheduling & Health – His recent absences due to illness raise questions about how quickly he can turn around between divisions.
Why It’s Not Impossible
What makes Chimaev’s ambitions credible is his versatility. He’s shown one-punch power at middleweight, suffocating wrestling at welterweight, and the frame to potentially compete with bigger light heavyweights. His domination of Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 proved he can dismantle elite competition with ruthless efficiency.
The Legacy Factor
If Chimaev pulls it off, it wouldn’t just be a UFC record — it would be one of the greatest accomplishments in MMA history. It would cement his status alongside legends and possibly redefine how fighters approach multi-division campaigns.
For now, all eyes are on UFC 319. If he can get past Du Plessis, the first piece of the triple-champion puzzle will fall into place — and the chase for history will truly begin.
