Too big for welterweight? Khamzat Chimaev’s JACKED physique has fans doubting his return to 170 pounds

Chimaev's last fight in welterweight may have been against Gilbert Burns
Khamzat Chimaev in a recent Instagram post was shown flexing his muscles. Many fight fans doubt that the No.3 welterweight can go back to the 170-pound division, saying he looks more like a Light Heavyweight than even a Middleweight.
Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev is ranked No.3 in the welterweight division but hasn’t had a proper fight since he won against Gilbert Burns in UFC 273. He was scheduled to fight Nate Diaz as a 170-pounder in September for UFC 279, but he missed the weight by more than 8 pounds. And he reacted by showing the finger to the booing crowd for missing weight.
He fought Kevin Holland in a 180-pound catchweight bout, dominating him via first-round submission. And looking at him now, Borz has failed the eye test of even looking like a 170-pounder. It doesn’t seem clear at what weight class he wants to fight – either cut back to welterweight or fight at middleweight or even try his hand at Light heavyweight.
Whichever weight class he fights in, fight fans hope that he doesn’t repeat UFC 279. But whatever the case, we can hope for an amazing fight whenever he steps into the cage.
Fans react to Khamzat Chimaev looking huge in his Instagram post

Fans have reacted to Chimaev’s jacked look and doubted if he could make the welterweight division again. Him having missed the weight for the UFC 279 for the welterweight bout, people are assuming this to happen again. Seeing that he doesn’t even look close to being even a middleweight.
He should meet Conor at 265 tbh
— Michael (@michaelangeloit) January 7, 2023
@InjunChongus no wonder he misses weight.
— Auzie (@AuzieShepazzi) January 8, 2023
Makes me wonder why people keep recommending him for fights at 170. He’s clearly at 185 to stay now pic.twitter.com/eaSRPd3qSj
— Tyler (@TBScoutingMMA) January 7, 2023
curious if he’d dominate LHW like he has been in WW
— ddaws ☮️ (@dawsdavid) January 7, 2023
— Kenneth Lebbi (@KennethLebbi) January 7, 2023
No more welterweight that’s for sure.
— Drew Hawk (@1Now2toCome) January 7, 2023
Misses weight by 8 pounds, adds a bunch of muscle and still asks for fights at WW ??
— ColbyBot (@ColbyBotV2) January 7, 2023
Chimaev has previously fought in the middleweight division. His fights at middleweight have had the same outcome as welterweight bouts, domination. Fans expect him to fight at middleweight moving forward. Whatever his decision, fans know the fight is always going to be exciting. Despite his antics in the last outing, Chimaev is still the biggest draw on the UFC roster.
In case you missed it:
- Andrew Tate vs Floyd Mayweather: Who has a better car collection?
- Conor McGregor mocks ‘Numbnuts’ Jake Paul for giving away 50% of PFL pay-per-view share