Sean Strickland Sets Condition for Khamzat Chimaev Rematch After Multiple Callouts From Chechen Fighter

Sean Strickland shocked everyone when he defeated Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 back in May of this year. The heated buildup to the middleweight title fight ended with both fighters squashing their feud after a hard-fought five rounds of action.

Shortly after the main event concluded, Dana White told the media that Chimaev may move to 205-pound division due to weight cutting problems. However, since then, the Chechen star wants revenge and has issued multiple callouts to Strickland.

‘Tarzan’ competed at UFC 328 with a busted shoulder and has still not recovered to return to active competition. With constant callouts from Chimaev, Strickland has decided to address a rematch, but set a condition for anyone wanting to challenge him.

Y’all keep asking me when I’m gonna fight again. Shoulder is getting solid, need a little longer. As to who I’m fighting… Chimaev keeps running his mouth. Want me to teach you how to cut weight so you can stop for a second L?

Sean Strickland via X

Sean Strickland is eying a rematch against Khamzat Chimaev next… 👀 pic.twitter.com/M2nmfO0j4i

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 30, 2026

Chimaev has always struggled with weight cuts throughout his career. Back when he competed at welterweight, he missed weight for UFC 278 and got removed from the main event. Moreover, some fans and Strickland speculated that Chimaev may have missed weight at UFC 328.

Chimaev cut as much as 45 pounds for his last fight. This was because he eyed a move to the light heavyweight division before the UFC booked him against Strickland. As such, some believe that Chimaev was held back due to the weight cutting troubles.

Dana White recently stated that any rematch between Strickland and Chimaev will depend on the fans. Another name circling in the title picture is Nassourdine Imavov, who keeps saying that the promotion promised him a title shot.

With Strickland still recovering from the busted shoulder, any future middleweight title bout will likely occur in the final quarter of 2026 or early 2027. Chimaev wants revenge and he has not stopped tweeting since losing the title back in May.

Khamzat Chimaev fires back at Sean Strickland to hype up potential rematch

The former middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev will not sit idly whenever someone targets him online. It didn’t take long for Chimaev to fire back at Strickland accepting the Chechen’s callout.

Losing at UFC 328 really damaged Chimaev’s aura. Since then, all he has talked about is a rematch with Strickland. At one point, he was looking forward to adding a second belt to his collection. Now, having set his sights on the champion, the Chechen superstar issued a warning.

This coward started talking again, when you see me again, ask for forgiveness, you’re good at that, the most important thing is don’t cry like a girl next time.

Khamzat Chimaev via X

Once Chimaev had tweeted, a fan told him that it was he who wrapped the belt around Strickland’s waist after embracing him at UFC 328. Chimaev revealed his reasons for doing it while mocking simultaneously mocking the new champion for crying.

This girl cried too much, I felt sorry for her, I gave it away like a guy lets his girlfriend do his laundry.

Khamzat Chimaev via X

This coward started talking again, when you see me again, ask for forgiveness, you're good at that, the most important thing is don't cry like a girl next time

— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) July 31, 2026

This girl cried too much, I felt sorry for her, i gave it away like a guy lets his girlfriend do his laundry

— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) July 31, 2026

If the UFC moves forward to book a rematch between the former teammates, fans can expect another heated buildup before the fight. Last time, Strickland didn’t hold back during press conferences and Chimaev kicked him during a faceoff.

Nassourdine Imavov is another option for Strickland’s first title defense. After all, he has a five-fight winning streak in the middleweight division.

Former champion Dricus Du Plessis recently re-entered the title picture as well after UFC Oklahoma City. He is 2-0 against Strickland and a trilogy bout will allow the new champion to finally exact revenge. As such, the promotion has a tough task of figuring out the next 185lbs title fight.

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