Chimaev demands Strickland accept rematch after first career loss at UFC 328

Khamzat Chimaev is making no secret of what he wants next: a rematch with Sean Strickland, the man who handed him the first loss of his professional career via a close decision at UFC 328 in May.

Chimaev took to social media on Monday to pressure Strickland into accepting the fight. “Accept the fight, don’t run, I’ll beat you anyway,” Chimaev wrote on Twitter. “The sooner this happens, the easier it will be to breathe.”

The message contradicts what UFC CEO Dana White said in the immediate aftermath of UFC 328, when he claimed Chimaev had expressed interest in moving up to light heavyweight. Whatever was said in the locker room that night, Chimaev’s public stance since has been consistent: he wants Strickland back in front of him.

Chimaev, now 15-1 as a professional, had looked virtually unstoppable on his way to the middleweight title. He submitted Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in October 2024 to earn his shot, then dominated Dricus du Plessis in a lopsided performance to claim the belt at UFC 319 in August 2025. The defeat to Strickland at UFC 328 was the first time in his career that “Borz” had come up short.

Strickland, for his part, has given little away about his next move. The champion has indicated he is targeting a return to the octagon in December, but has not confirmed an opponent or a specific event.

Whether the UFC moves to book the rematch will likely depend on Strickland’s willingness to take it and the promotion’s own scheduling priorities heading into the end of the year.