Chimaev insists he is the real middleweight champion after split-decision loss to Strickland

Khamzat Chimaev is refusing to accept his UFC middleweight title loss to Sean Strickland, publicly declaring himself the ‘real champion’ months after Strickland claimed a split-decision upset at UFC 328 in May.

“I didn’t lose the match [to Strickland],” Chimaev told MMA Junkie. “I am the real champion.” The Chechen fighter, now 15-1, entered that bout as a massive favourite but appeared to fade badly after a failed takedown attempt in the second round, allowing Strickland to outwork him on the feet across the remainder of the fight.

Chimaev’s team hinted after the defeat that he had been carrying undisclosed health issues into the contest but chose to compete regardless. The suggestion was that those problems contributed to the visible fatigue that proved decisive in Strickland’s favour, though the result stands on the official record.

Despite Chimaev’s calls for an immediate rematch, Strickland — now 31-7 — is in negotiations to defend his title against Nassourdine Imavov as his next assignment. Chimaev says he is fit, ready to fight ‘very soon’, and is simply waiting for the UFC to schedule him.

UFC CEO Dana White had previously suggested Chimaev might move up to light heavyweight following the defeat, but the former champion appears firmly committed to reclaiming the 185-pound title rather than seeking opportunities in a new weight class.

Whether Chimaev gets the rematch he wants depends largely on how Strickland’s negotiations with the promotion resolve and whether Imavov secures that title shot first. For now, Chimaev remains on the outside of the middleweight picture, though clearly unwilling to accept that status quietly.