The UFC middleweight division is beginning to get messy again as Khamzat Chimaev calls out Sean Strickland.
Chimaev has made it clear that he doesn’t want to sit in the back of the pack after being stripped of his title at UFC 328 by Strickland. The former UFC middleweight champ states his attitude has not shifted, and he continues to aggressively seek to take the “Tarzan” fight immediately.
When asked about the reason for his return, Chimaev took a shot at Strickland, calling him “waiting for Strickland to come out of his house.” For his part, he is prepared and willing to fight on UFC’s terms when they call on him, he added. The message was as simple as it could be in the Khamzat style – he wants action, and he wants it now.
But UFC middleweight title pictures aren’t that easy. Nassourdine Imavov also has a voice to play, stating he is next in line for Sean Strickland. Dana White has not announced the opponent for the next bout, so it’s unclear if Chimaev automatically has the rematch he desires.
Strickland has also been sidelined by his recent injuries, which complicate the situation. He reportedly has been having some shoulder and nose problems, but he’s also training at the UFC Performance Institute. That only makes Chimaev’s taunts all the more public.
Chimaev might have to get another big win to earn a UFC fight next with Sean Strickland. A Dricus du Plessis comeback bout may be the high-risk match-up. Du Plessis has turned the corner, though, and Chimaev has yet to get around to proving that he can recover from his first big title loss.
The situation is pretty straightforward at the moment: Khamzat Chimaev is looking to take on Sean Strickland, Strickland has choices, and the middleweight division is seeing a lot of action.
