Khamzat Chimaev vows to follow Sean Strickland to any weight for rematch

Chimaev's warning comes as Strickland, who beat him for the UFC middleweight title in May, threatens to vacate the belt and move up to light heavyweight over a pay dispute.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Thu 22 Oct, 22:14 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Khamzat Chimaev has said he will follow Sean Strickland up to light heavyweight, and even to heavyweight, if the UFC middleweight champion leaves the division before a rematch.

Strickland took the title from Chimaev by split decision at UFC 328 in May, handing him the first defeat of his MMA career. The champion is now in a dispute with the UFC over pay and has said that, if it is not resolved, he would rather vacate the belt and move up to light heavyweight so he can fight out his contract quickly.

Chimaev said: “If he goes up to 205, I’ll go after him and take his head.” He added that he would move up to heavyweight if Strickland went higher still.

Chimaev also linked his interest to money, saying the UFC would pay well for a second fight: “That’s why I go after [him]. It’s a big check.” He pushed for an immediate rematch after the loss, but in the months since, Nassourdine Imavov has emerged as Strickland's expected first challenger. The UFC was rumoured to be targeting that first defence for the end of 2026 or early 2027. The pay dispute has now put in doubt whether Strickland will defend the title at all.

Chimaev, who wants the situation settled so he can return soon, said: “I’ve been training, asking about a fight. So we’ll see. I don’t know what’s going on with him and Imavov and those guys. If they fight, they fight. If they don’t fight, I want to fight with some of them.”

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Khamzat Chimaev Sean Strickland Nassourdine Imavov