Khamzat Chimaev’s coach sees 3-man race for next title shot, UFC White House fight possible
MMA Fighting
February 19, 2026
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Khamzat Chimaev’s grappling coach, Alan “Finfou” do Nascimento, has identified three main contenders for the next middleweight title shot: Nassourdine Imavov, Anthony Hernandez, and Sean Strickland. With the UFC yet to announce an official challenger, Chimaev’s team is focusing on a potential return before an official offer is made. The team is eyeing the historic UFC card at the White House on June 14 as an ideal date for Chimaev to defend his title, given its significance and uniqueness in MMA history. However, this plan hinges on avoiding fights during Ramadan, which begins on February 18 and ends around March 20, leaving approximately 10 weeks until the target date.
Chimaev’s team is also considering the potential impact of a UFC decision to exclude Russian fighters from the White House card, as hinted by former bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. While Chimaev, who now holds a United Arab Emirates passport, does not represent Russia in the UFC, his inclusion on the card
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Originally published on MMA Fighting on 2/19/2026