Khataev, a 2020 Olympic silver medalist, has indicated he is willing to face established names early. Fighters cited as benchmarks include David Benavidez, Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. His approach is pressure-based, with an emphasis on physical exchanges and sustained offense. Comparisons with Beterbiev have centered on his willingness to close distance and invest in bodywork rather than rely on remote control.
Khataev last fought on December 11, stopping Adam Deines in the third round. Deines was dropped twice, once in the opening round and again in the third. The strikeout came after a right hand to the body sent Deines to one knee, followed by a full count from the referee.
The win followed Khataev’s first professional loss, a 10-round split decision to David Morrell on July 12, 2025. Khataev scored a takedown in the fifth round with a looping right hand, but lost on two scorecards. The decision drew mixed reactions from fans and observers.
Four years into his professional career, Khataev has a record of 11-1 with 10 knockouts. He is ranked number 6 by the WBC, number 7 by the IBF, and number 15 by the WBO at lightweight.
Fighters ranked ahead of him include established contenders positioned in mandatory or interim lanes, leaving limited movement without an outright elimination opportunity.
He is expected to remain active in training while awaiting confirmation of his next fight, with the intention of remaining available for late-breaking opportunities should openings arise within the division’s competitor schedule.
The timeline for that return will likely depend on sanctioning body movement and availability within the top fifteen during early 2026.
