Khamzat Chimaev wants another shot at Sean Strickland. |
Getty/UFC
Khamzat
Chimaev may not be headed to the light heavyweight division
just yet.
A statement from Chimaev’s team provided to ESPN on Tuesday revealed that the Chechen
standout is instead focused on a return date with Sean
Strickland. Entering UFC 328
as a heavy favorite, “Borz” relinquished his middleweight crown to
Strickland in a surprising split-decision defeat.
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“The rematch with Sean Strickland is the only fight that Khamzat
wants, he is obsessed with it,” the statement read. “That’s the
only fight he will accept right now.”
That’s a shift from what
UFC CEO Dana White indicated shortly after Saturday’s main
event at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. At the
post-fight press conference, White revealed that Chimaev told him
that UFC 328 was his last bout at 185 pounds. However, Chimaev
also tweeted “See you soon again” to Strickland, perhaps
hinting that he had unfinished business at middleweight.
Fake Beef and a Bad Cut
Both Strickland and Chimaev have received criticism within the MMA
community for manufactured animosity leading up to their title
fight, as both athletes touched gloves repeatedly during the
matchup. After the bout, Strickland admitted that much of the
pre-fight vitriol directed at his former training partner was in
the name of selling the fight.
Chimaev’s staying power at 185 pounds came into question in Round 2
of the UFC 328 headliner, when he appeared to gas out following a
failed takedown. Though Chimaev ultimately recovered and made it a
competitive fight down the stretch, that moment made many recall
how difficult the former champion’s weight cut appeared to be.
The 32-year-old Chimaev began his MMA career with 15 straight
triumphs — including nine in UFC competition. He claimed
middleweight gold with a dominant five-round verdict over Dricus Du
Plessis at UFC 319 last August. It’s unclear if Chimaev will
receive an immediate title shot because Nassourdine
Imavov, who has won five straight contests at 185 pounds,
appears to be the division’s No. 1 contender in waiting.