Khamzat Chimaev fired back after Conor McGregor called the UFC 328 middleweight title “my 185lb @ufc title.”
McGregor made the claim while promoting the Newark card, where Chimaev is set to defend against Sean Strickland at UFC 328. Chimaev was asked about the post and answered by pointing to McGregor’s long absence from any UFC title reign.
“Very excited for the Newark, New Jersey @ufc card, with my 185lb @ufc title on the line!” McGregor wrote. “TUNE IN ON @UFConParamount 💰”
McGregor’s post is below:
Very excited for the Newark, New Jersey @ufc card, with my 185lb @ufc title on the line!
TUNE IN ON @UFConParamount 💰
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 4, 2026
Chimaev rejected the claim immediately.
“His belt?” Chimaev said. “He lost his belt ten years ago.”
Watch Chimaev respond below:
‼️Khamzat Chimaev shuts down Conor McGregor’s belt claim saying he lost it years ago and needs to come back to reality
"His belt? Bro, he lost his belt 10 years ago. This guy should come off drugs and he's drinking his whiskey a lot – come back to normal work and let's fight"… pic.twitter.com/zhSDowIP0M
— FREAK.MMA (@FREAKMMA1) May 7, 2026
Chimaev Tells McGregor To Come Back And Fight
McGregor knocked out Jose Aldo in 2015 to win the UFC featherweight title, then beat Eddie Alvarez in 2016 to become the first UFC fighter to hold two UFC belts at the same time. McGregor is not an active UFC champion. Chimaev has a scheduled UFC 328 title defense against Strickland.
Chimaev also referenced McGregor’s lifestyle and Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand.
“I don’t know,” Chimaev said. “This guy, he should come off drugs. And he’s, what is this, Proper, Proper something? He’s drinking all of that. To come back to normal, how work can?”
Chimaev then called for the fight.
“Let’s fight, let’s fight,” Chimaev said.
Chimaev also addressed his boxing.
“And I don’t get boxing,” Chimaev said. “I still do good boxing. People thinks I’m just a wrestler. I don’t need to use my just boxing. I remember May 5 that if I go through the boxing, I’m gonna use, I’m gonna show my boxing too.”
Chimaev has Strickland next at UFC 328. McGregor has not fought in the UFC since his 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier.
