Khamzat Chimaev once vowed to ‘smash’ everyone in the UFC, but there’s one man he’d rather not have to.

The former middleweight champion is currently plotting his way back to championship gold in the UFC, having been unseated from the throne at 185 pounds this past May.

Chimaev lost to Sean Strickland at UFC 328, marking the end of his middleweight reign in his very first defense. ‘Borz’ looks set to be denied an immediate rematch and may need to beat a fellow contender to secure a shot at redemption.

When it comes to his potential opposition, the Chechen star has seemingly ruled out one highly ranked option.

Which dream fight is the biggest ‘one that got away’ for you?

Khamzat Chimaev and Brendan Allen will only fight each other if a UFC title is on the line

While Chimaev canceled plans for an expected move up to light heavyweight in order to chase revenge against Strickland, the two-time champ is in line to run it back with Nassourdine Imavov instead.

That means the UFC may be looking at other options for the 15-1 star, but they may as well skip past Brendan Allen on the list.

‘All In’ believes he is in title contention after making it four wins on the bounce by beating Christian Leroy Duncan earlier this month.

He is now just three spots below the No. 1-ranked Chimaev in the Meta UFC middleweight rankings, but the American has ruled out facing his friend unless the title is on the line.

“We have the agreement that we’re not gonna fight each other unless it’s for gold,” Allen said during a recent appearance on MMA Junkie Radio.

“So, if it’s for the belt, then we’re gonna fight. At least for me, I don’t have the fame, the financial security to be able to sit there and be like, ‘Nah.’ I have to.

“Fighting for the belt changes my life, and it changes my family’s life,” he continued. “Everyone that I’ve ever come in contact with knows that about me: if it’s for a belt, there’s no questions that’s gonna be asked from my end.”

Before Allen’s main event victory over Duncan, he also got the better of Edmen Shahbazyan, Reinier de Ridder, and Marvin Vettori.

‘All In’ has not lost since consecutive defeats against Imavov and Anthony Hernandez in September 2024 and February 2025, respectively.