With Israel Adesanya’s stunning defeat at the hands of Nassourdine Imavov, the middleweight division’s carefully constructed hierarchy has been shattered, leaving contenders scrambling to reposition themselves in the wide-open title picture. This hungry pack of 185fers—led by the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev—now sense unprecedented greatness in what once used to be Izzy’s playground. And it is safe to say that Kamaru Usman is finally coming to terms with the inevitable truth.

When the former welterweight king first locked horns with Chimaev at UFC 294, his post-fight assessment was dismissive: “There was nothing different that I haven’t seen…He’s a little bigger than I thought, but nothing special.” The words hung in the air, seemingly another voice attempting to deflate the growing Chimaev hype train. Fast forward to today, and Usman’s tune has changed dramatically. The man who once shrugged off ‘Borz’ as ordinary now believes Chimaev could be the next to wear middleweight gold.

Speaking on ESPN MMA alongside Karyn Bryant, Michael Chiesa, and Din Thomas, he admitted, “I have to say Khamzat Chimaev is just that name that we’ve been hearing for the last decade… he’s definitely the guy on the shortlist to get that shot.” Moreover, when asked about the potential winner of the fight between ‘Borz’ and Dricus Du Plessis, Usman sided with the undefeated juggernaut.

“Man! I think it’s going to be a very intriguing fight because Khamzat Chimaev is probably one of the most difficult people to deal with in that first round. And you can’t make it to round 2, or 3 if you don’t get past 1. So, it’s a tough one but I believe that Khamzat Chimaev has the tools to be the champion.” ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ stated.

This remarkable shift in perspective raises the question: What changed? Well, it has certainly something to do with Chimaev’s much-discussed power and a firsthand taste of his suffocating pressure in their three-round 185lbs clash. Even if Usman wasn’t blown away, he now recognizes what so many have been saying. The Chechen’s blend of relentless wrestling, seamless ground control, and explosive striking makes him a nightmare matchup for anyone. He doesn’t just fight opponents, he drowns them.

And with an undefeated record, it’s getting harder to deny that the Chechnya born wrecking machine might just be the boogeyman of the division. Even the reigning middleweight champ could be in for a rude awakening if the #3 contender gets his hands on him. But for all his dominance, one thing has kept Chimaev from the throne, the UFC itself. Despite his resume, the promotion has yet to officially hand him a title shot. And that, more than anything, might be the biggest roadblock to his coronation.

Usman, however, didn’t stop at Chimaev. He also turned his attention to the man who just shook up the division in a big way. “Nassourdine definitely has made a great case for himself with what he just did with Israel Adesanya,” Usman noted. “But Nassourdine Imavov is not far behind.” So did the downfall of the former champ pave the way for the uncrowned juggernaut?

Did the former champ’s setback just open the door for Khamzat Chimaev?

For years, Israel Adesanya was the immovable force at middleweight. Then Nassourdine Imavov happened. Izzy’s recent loss, the first non-title fight in years, and a brutal defeat have sent shockwaves through the division. While his legacy remains untarnished, whispers of a downward trend are creeping in.

And when a former king stumbles, contenders start circling. The reigning champ, fresh off his UFC 312 title defense against Sean Strickland, knows this better than anyone. The South African powerhouse has grand ambitions, including a champion vs. champion showdown with Alex Pereira at light heavyweight. But before he packs his bags for 205lbs, he acknowledges there’s unfinished business at middleweight.

“Khamzat is next,” ‘Stillknocks’ declared after his win. And he’s not alone, many believe Chimaev is the uncrowned king waiting for his moment. But with Imavov’s stock skyrocketing after dismantling Adesanya, could he leapfrog ‘Borz’ in the title race? That’s where things get tricky.

The UFC has been dragging its feet on booking Chimaev’s title shot. Maybe it’s the matchmaking politics, maybe it’s injuries, or maybe they’re just waiting for the right storyline. But as Du Plessis put it, “I want to make sure that this belt, that this middleweight title, that there is no question that I’m the GOAT of the middleweight division.”

With Adesanya’s fall reshuffling the division, Usman giving Chimaev his stamp of approval, and Du Plessis open to the challenge, the table is set. Now, it’s on the UFC. Will ‘Borz’ finally get his shot, or will the politics of the fight game keep him waiting? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!