Khamzat Chimaev says he would take a UFC title fight with Nassourdine Imavov for the money

Imavov has emerged as Sean Strickland's expected first challenger, but the middleweight champion's pay dispute with the UFC has put that title defence in doubt.

Khamzat Chimaev has said he would accept a UFC middleweight title fight with Nassourdine Imavov if the promotion offered it, telling MMA Fighting that the money decides it.

Asked whether he would take that fight for the title, Chimaev said: "Whatever gives the money, I take, bro. So, of course, I'm going to take it. When you have the belt, you make more money."

Imavov has emerged as the expected first challenger for Sean Strickland, who took the title from Chimaev by split decision at UFC 328 in May. Strickland is 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.

Chimaev, who has also vowed to follow Strickland up in weight for a rematch, is next due to compete against Colby Covington in a Real American Freestyle wrestling match in Abu Dhabi on Saturday 14 November.

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