Chimaev vows to follow Strickland to any weight class after first career loss

Khamzat Chimaev has vowed to chase Sean Strickland to any weight class necessary to secure a rematch, warning the middleweight champion that there is no escape after Strickland handed him the first loss of his MMA career at UFC 328 in May.

Strickland claimed the middleweight title via split decision at UFC 328, ending Chimaev’s unbeaten record and sparking an immediate demand for a rematch from the Chechen-Swedish contender. That rematch has since been complicated by two developments: the UFC lined up Nassourdine Imavov as Strickland’s first title challenger, and Strickland himself has entered a public dispute with the promotion over pay — threatening to vacate the belt and move up to light heavyweight to fight out his contract quickly.

Chimaev made clear that a weight-class change would not deter him. “If he goes up to 205, I’ll go after him and take his head,” Chimaev told MMA Fighting. “I go straight after [him]. If he goes higher weight, I’ll go to heavyweight. This guy is not going to run from me.”

The financial incentive is also a driving factor for Chimaev, who acknowledged the commercial appeal of the rivalry. “They’re gonna pay good for our fight,” he said. “That’s why I go after [him]. It’s a big check.”

The original grudge match was one of the most high-profile bouts of 2026, and since the defeat Chimaev has stated his intention to focus on the biggest available fights rather than working back through the rankings. A rematch with Strickland fits that ambition squarely.

The UFC had reportedly been targeting Strickland’s first title defense for late 2026 or early 2027, but the ongoing pay dispute has thrown those plans into doubt. Whether Strickland defends the middleweight belt, vacates it, or moves up remains unresolved. Chimaev, who says he has been training and requesting a fight, wants clarity soon regardless of how the situation unfolds.

“Hopefully soon, very soon,” Chimaev said of his return. “I’ve been training, asking about a fight. So we’ll see. I don’t know what’s going on with him and Imavov and those guys. If they fight, they fight. If they don’t fight, I want to fight with some of them.”