Khamzat Chimaev is publicly campaigning for an immediate rematch with Sean Strickland after suffering the first loss of his career at UFC 328 in May, where Strickland pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent UFC history via split decision to reclaim the middleweight title.
Some pointed to a brutal weight cut as a factor in Chimaev’s uncharacteristically flat performance. Chimaev has downplayed any move to light heavyweight and says the rematch is the only fight he wants.
Standing in the way is Nassourdine Imavov, the surging French contender on a five-fight win streak who was reportedly told by the UFC that his next fight would be for the belt. Imavov has waited patiently for his shot and has personal motivation too, having lost a decision to Strickland back in 2023.
Complicating matters further, Strickland has been sidelined by a shoulder injury suffered during UFC 328 fight week, pushing back any potential title defense. He’s recently teased a Chimaev rematch on social media, though he’s also said he believes in the rankings, which would favor Imavov.
Touch decison the UFC has to make
That leaves the UFC with a genuine dilemma. Sean Strickland vs. Khamzat Chimaev 2 is the fight with obvious commercial appeal. A razor-close five-round war between two of the promotion’s biggest stars practically demands a sequel. But strictly on merit, Imavov has done everything he’s supposed to and arguably deserves to jump the line.
No official date or matchup has been confirmed yet for Strickland’s first defense, but expect Dana White and matchmakers to weigh box-office pull against divisional fairness in the coming weeks. Either way, the middleweight’s next chapter is shaping up to be one of the more contentious booking decisions of the year.
One landing spot worth watching is UFC 332, confirmed for October 3 in Salt Lake City, though no bouts have been announced for that card yet, so either matchup slotting in there remains speculation for now.
Khamzat Chimaev is tired of staying inactive
Earlier today on X, Khamzat Chimaev called out Dana White and let the UFC CEO know that he does not want to wait any longer.
“What are we waiting for? I want to fight @danawhite”
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