Khamzat Chimaev, one of the UFC’s rising stars, has inked a new long-term deal with the organization.
Majdi Shammas, Chimaev’s manager, informed ESPN that Chimaev (12-0) signed the new contract on Tuesday. Chimaev, 29, will compete in a middleweight contest against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (20-3) at UFC 294 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
The terms of the agreement were not released, but it will keep Chimaev confined to the Octagon for the foreseeable future. He had two fights left on his prior contract before agreeing to an extension.
According to UFC president Dana White, Saturday’s bout will be a No. 1 contender fight at middleweight, with the winner facing newly minted champion Sean Strickland for the belt in his next appearance.
Chimaev, who was born in Chechnya but currently fights out of Dubai, has been touted as a potential future champion in numerous weight classes since making his UFC debut in 2020. He has competed at 170 and 185 pounds.
