Khamzat Chimaev suffered his first defeat on Saturday night, losing his title to Sean Strickland by split decision.
What happened?
Chimaev walked up to UFC CEO Dana White after the fight and expressed his desire to move up to a new weight class.
White appeared to be supportive of Chimaev's decision, stating that it's exciting to see him move up.
Why it matters for Khamzat Chimaev
Chimaev's move up to a new weight class could be a significant change for his career, given his success in his current division.
He had gone on a run since Fight Island, winning a world title and remaining undefeated.
What comes next?
It's unclear what's next for Chimaev, but White stated that he couldn't comment on Chimaev's immediate next steps due to the quick interaction.
Chimaev had called for a rematch with Strickland on social media, but this seems to contradict his statement to White.
Strickland, on the other hand, has secured back-to-back iconic performances and is quickly asserting himself in the Fighter of the Year conversation.
The middleweight division's new chapter has just been established, with Strickland as the new champion.
Chimaev's nine takedowns weren't enough to retain the title, as a close fifth round went in favor of Strickland.
Strickland walked back his dark pre-fight comments toward Chimaev, revealing that he was trying to spice up a "boring" UFC product.
Chimaev's future is uncertain, but one thing is clear - he will not be fighting in the same weight class again.
The UFC CEO's support for Chimaev's decision is a significant factor in his potential move up.
Chimaev's loss to Strickland was a close one, with the split decision going in favor of the new champion.
The event took place on Saturday night in Newark, N.J., and was a significant moment in the UFC calendar.
Chimaev's career has been marked by success, but this loss could be a turning point for the athlete.
The future of the middleweight division is uncertain, but one thing is clear - Strickland is the new champion.
Chimaev's move up to a new weight class could be a significant change for the athlete and the division.
The UFC CEO's statement has provided some clarity on Chimaev's future, but there is still much uncertainty.
Chimaev's decision to move up to a new weight class will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike.
The athlete's career has been marked by success, but this loss could be a significant turning point.
The event on Saturday night was a significant moment in the UFC calendar, with Chimaev's loss to Strickland being a major talking point.
The middleweight division's new chapter has just been established, with Strickland as the new champion and Chimaev potentially moving up to a new weight class.
The future is uncertain, but one thing is clear - the UFC will continue to be a major player in the world of MMA.
Chimaev's loss to Strickland was a close one, with the split decision going in favor of the new champion.
The athlete's decision to move up to a new weight class could be a significant change for his career.
The UFC CEO's support for Chimaev's decision is a significant factor in his potential move up.
Chimaev's career has been marked by success, but this loss could be a turning point for the athlete.
The event on Saturday night was a significant moment in the UFC calendar, with Chimaev's loss to Strickland being a major talking point.
The middleweight division's new chapter has just been established, with Strickland as the new champion and Chimaev potentially moving up to a new weight class.