Chimaev Accidentally Leaks Covington Fight Rumor

Khamzat Chimaev appears to have let slip that his next fight will be against Colby Covington, tipping off a matchup nobody had officially confirmed.

The reveal came without any promotional rollout from the UFC, and neither fighter's team has put out a statement locking in the bout. But the slip is enough to start real speculation about a Chimaev-Covington fight, especially given where both men currently sit in the promotion.

Why This Matchup Makes Sense Right Now

Chimaev has been out of the middleweight title picture since dropping his belt. Chimaev lost a five round split decision to Sean Strickland, losing his UFC middleweight title at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, just months after he had captured it. He'd won the title from Dricus Du Plessis by unanimous decision at UFC 319 on October 16, 2025. A pivot back down to welterweight, where Chimaev made his UFC name before jumping divisions, would put him right back in the mix against a longtime top contender like Covington, who has spent years campaigning for a shot at the belt without getting over the hump.

For Covington, this is the kind of high-profile matchup he's built his career chasing. A win over a name as big as Chimaev's keeps him relevant in a stacked 170-pound division even without a title fight attached.

What It Means for the Betting Markets

Nothing is official yet, so sportsbooks haven't posted a line, but expect Chimaev to open as a solid favorite whenever the fight does get confirmed. His grappling pace and physicality have made him a tough stylistic matchup for almost anyone he's faced, and Covington, despite his cardio and wrestling pedigree, hasn't looked like the fighter he was in his prime in recent outings. Bettors will want to see an official UFC announcement and fight date before markets settle, since accidental reveals like this one can still fall through or get restructured before a bout agreement is signed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Khamzat Chimaev confirm a fight against Colby Covington?

Khamzat Chimaev appeared to accidentally reveal that his next fight will be against Colby Covington, though the UFC has not made an official announcement confirming the bout.

What is Khamzat Chimaev's current record and title status?

Khamzat Chimaev won the UFC middleweight title from Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 in October 2025, then lost the belt to Sean Strickland by split decision at UFC 328 in May 2026.

Would a Chimaev vs. Covington fight be at welterweight?

Colby Covington competes at welterweight, so a matchup with Khamzat Chimaev, who made his UFC name at 170 pounds before moving up to middleweight, would likely take place at welterweight.