Chimaev says Imavov deserves title shot against Strickland

Hamzat Chimaev (32, UAE) had been eager for an immediate rematch after losing the middleweight title to Sean Strickland, but the former champion appears to have set aside his impatience and quietly accepted that he may need to wait his turn.

Chimaev raised no serious objection to reports that reigning champion Strickland is pursuing a title defense against Nassourdine Imavov, who has long been ranked as the No. 1 contender. His stance, rather, is to get back into the octagon as soon as possible and earn a title shot in the fight after that.

"It's no surprise that Strickland and Imavov are being lined up," Chimaev said Thursday (local time) in an interview with Russian combat sports outlet Ushatyaka. "Imavov has probably been waiting for a title shot for about two years now. He's already earned it. Whoever wins, I'll fight them next."

Strickland defeated Chimaev in May to claim his second UFC middleweight title and has since been focused on recovering from injury. He has said he hopes to return to the octagon before the end of this year, and with Imavov emerging as the top candidate for his next defense, that wish now appears within reach.

Imavov is currently on a six-fight unbeaten run, including one no-contest. During that stretch he headlined four events, knocking out former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and also defeating Caio Borralho and Brendan Allen.

Imavov's last loss came in 2023, when he stepped in as a short-notice replacement to face Strickland and lost by decision in a non-title light heavyweight bout. Should the matchup be confirmed, it would be a revenge fight more than three years in the making — and Imavov's first crack at a title.

Chimaev, for his part, kicked off his comeback campaign this week by naming Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho as potential opponents for his next fight, with Borralho drawing particular interest.

He had originally planned to move up to light heavyweight after defending the middleweight title against Strickland, but since losing the belt he has repeatedly said he will stay at his current weight class until he wins it back. He reaffirmed that stance recently, saying, "I'm not going anywhere until I knock everyone out at middleweight."

If Strickland's first title defense takes place late this year, a title fight between Chimaev and the winner is expected to follow in the first half of next year.

Meanwhile, Chimaev is set to compete in a wrestling match against former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in the main event of the RAF Moscow grappling event in Russia on Saturday.