• Chael Sonnen says Khamzat Chimaev enjoys keeping fans and media guessing.
  • Chimaev is unbeaten (15-0) and has shown interest in opponents across divisions.
  • Potential next fights hinge on Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez on Feb. 21.

Why Chimaev stays enigmatic

Khamzat Chimaev has gone from rising contender to UFC middleweight champion without fully answering every question from fans and pundits. Chael Sonnen told The Schmo that the unbeaten fighter seems to prefer an air of mystery.

Chimaev’s record and public silence

Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) dethroned Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 last August. Since winning the title he’s shared little about his next move, fueling speculation about his first defense and whether he might chase a multi-division showdown.

Sonnen on mixed signals

“I wish you would tell me. What is going on there?” Sonnen said on The Schmo. He pointed to recurring rumors — from visa issues to observing Ramadan — and said Chimaev may deliberately leave questions unanswered.

“There’s always a rumor around Chimaev… and it never gets clarified — and I think Chimaev likes that. I think he enjoys that we, the fans, have to wonder,” Sonnen said.

Possible opponents: Imavov, Pereira and more

Chimaev has publicly acknowledged Nassourdine Imavov as a top contender, while also calling out light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, suggesting he could pursue fights beyond the middleweight division. Those calls have amplified debate about whether Chimaev will defend his title within the division or attempt a cross-division tilt.

How Strickland vs. Hernandez affects the picture

A pivotal middleweight matchup between former champion Sean Strickland and Anthony Hernandez on Feb. 21 could narrow Chimaev’s options. Sonnen noted that the winner of that fight could be the natural next challenge, depending on how the UFC sequences title fights.

Watch Sonnen’s comments

Below is Sonnen’s segment on The Schmo where he discusses Chimaev’s approach and the surrounding uncertainty.

What to watch next

Expect more clarity only after UFC confirms a timeline for Chimaev’s next fight or after key contender matchups play out. For now, the champion’s quiet approach continues to drive headlines and debate among analysts.

For ongoing updates, follow official UFC announcements and fighter social channels as the promotion sets the next steps for Chimaev’s title reign.

Image Referance: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2026/01/14/ufc-chael-sonnen-groans-khamzat-chimaev-enigma/88174860007/