Nassourdine Imavov, one of the most consistent contenders in the middleweight division, has told details about how the UFC had in mind to schedule his world title fight against Khamzat Chimaev on two separate dates (December and February), before Chimaev's injury halted plans and forced the fight to be postponed indefinitely. In a recent interview, Imavov explained that these dates were being formally considered by matchmaker Mick Maynard and other executives, but that a contract was never finalized or anything was made official. The French contender, who has won five in a row against high-level opponents, remains ready for a title shot and stressed that both he and Chimaev want to fight, although the schedule and the champion's recovery remain undefined. This uncertainty has generated debate among fans and analysts, as the middleweight landscape could now involve other names such as Sean Strickland or Dricus Du Plessis in the conversation for the crown.