Khamzat Chimaev has moved past his demands for an immediate rematch with Sean Strickland. Months after losing his middleweight championship by split decision at UFC 328, the Chechen fighter is looking ahead as the division moves on without him.
Chimaev entered the main event as an undefeated favorite with a perfect 15-0 record, but left with the first loss of his career. While he initially campaigned for a rematch, the bout seems far from materializing. Instead, reports are suggesting now that No. 3-ranked Nassourdine Imavov will challenge Strickland next.
Despite discussing a move to light heavyweight with Dana White, Chimaev clarified recently that he has no plans to switch divisions until he defeats everyone at 185 pounds.
Khamzat Chimaev Vows to Defeat Everyone at Middleweight
Khamzat Chimaev is seemingly targeting a new opponent as he appears to be done waiting on Strickland. “Borz” recently listed Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov, and Caio Borralho as his preferred next targets on X.
Borralho quickly answered the call-out, offering to fight Chimaev in either November or December. Chimaev followed up by posting a one-word response to Borralho, signaling that a matchup between the two could materialize while the championship queue is stalled.
Speaking to Ushatayka during a media interaction Thursday, “Borz” also addressed the rumor about Strickland’s potential opponent without any bitterness, adding, “No, there’s no surprise. How long has Imavov been waiting now? Probably around two years. He’s already the contender.”
🚨 Khamzat Chimaev reacts to the rumors of Sean Strickland defending his title against Nassourdine Imavov in December:
“There’s no surprise. How long has Imavov been waiting now? He’s already the contender. Whoever wins, we’ll take him.”
He also says he’s staying at… pic.twitter.com/Ke42SjzOLy
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 3, 2026
Rather than showing bitterness about being bypassed for the title shot, the former champion made his long-term intentions clear. “Whoever wins, we’ll take him,” Chimaev added. “Until we break everybody at 185, I’m not going anywhere.”
Khamzat Chimaev Owns Up to Mistakes While Plotting His Path Back
Addressing his title loss at UFC 328 in Newark, Chimaev acknowledged the weight-cut issues that drained his performance.
“There were mistakes,” he confessed. “Mistakes can always happen. Things can’t be perfect. We’re only human. I’m no saint who never makes mistakes. I don’t want to talk about those things.”
He added that he does not consider himself a loser, noting his lifelong training and his primary focus on earning money to support his family. Ahead of any return to the cage, the former middleweight champion is gearing up for a freestyle wrestling match against Tyron Woodley at RAF Moscow this weekend.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that an injury to Strickland will likely delay his potential defense against Imavov until early 2027. Consequently, Chimaev’s path back runs through that eventual winner, unless he secures an alternative high-profile clash with Caio Borralho. Either way, “Borz” has made it clear he wants to clear out the entire division, one name at a time.
