Chimaev publicly calls out Strickland for UFC middleweight rematch after first career loss

Khamzat Chimaev is publicly pressuring Sean Strickland to grant him a UFC middleweight title rematch, posting a direct callout on social media on Monday, June 29 — less than two months after losing the 185-pound championship to Strickland by split decision at UFC 328 on May 9.

The defeat was the first of Chimaev’s professional career across 16 fights, and he has wasted little time in pushing for a second meeting. “Accept the fight, don’t run, I’ll beat you anyway,” Chimaev wrote, addressing Strickland directly. “The sooner this happens, the easier it will be to breathe.”

The callout marks a notable shift in Chimaev’s stated plans. In the immediate aftermath of UFC 328, he suggested he might move up to light heavyweight to pursue opportunities at 205 pounds. That idea was quickly abandoned. Within days of the loss, his team released a statement saying Chimaev is “obsessed” with securing a return bout against Strickland.

The UFC has yet to indicate who Strickland will defend the title against next. Alongside the Chimaev rematch, Nassourdine Imavov has emerged as a credible alternative challenger — the French contender has won five consecutive fights at middleweight and represents a legitimate queue-jumper if the promotion opts against an immediate rematch.

Whether the UFC rewards Chimaev with a swift return or routes Strickland through Imavov first remains to be seen, but the former champion’s aggressive public campaign leaves little doubt about where his priorities lie.