Khamzat Chimaev brought his newly won UFC title back to Chechnya.

Chael Sonnen includes Bo Nickal in his list of desired opponents for new UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev.

Chimaev’s strategy against Du Plessis has been criticized by some, but not many have gone as far the champ’s longtime enemy, Paulo Costa, with their reactions. During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, the Brazilian boldly claimed that Chimaev could “kill” MMA if he repeats the manner in which he won on August 16.

Chimaev thrashed Dricus Du Plessis in the main event of UFC 319 in Chicago, seizing the middleweight championship. As a result, Chimaev is making his debut in the ESPN pound-for-pound rankings. He was so impressive over the weekend that he surges right into the top five. For the ESPN divisional MMA rankings, click here.

UFC CEO Dana White expressed a willingness to grant Chimaev his wish if he's serious about it. If it comes to fruition, de Ridder thinks he is the correct contender to be standing on the other side of the cage.

Dana White announced that Reinier de Ridder will face Anthony Hernandez on October 18, with the result of this matchup and the main event of UFC Paris next month being used to decide the next challenger. One of the four fighters in the running to challenge Chimaev has already started to have some thoughts about how he would prepare for such a task.

Russian UFC heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich told Telecomasia.net that he doesn’t see Khamzat Chimaev having prospects in the heavyweight division after Chimaev’s win over Dricus Du Plessis.

Dricus Du Plessis' coach is confident they can work on mistakes and get their belt back after UFC 319.