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Khamzat Chimaev has made his intentions clear. The former UFC middleweight champion wants another fight with Sean Strickland and is willing to put $1 million of his own money on the table to make it happen.
Chimaev directly addressed Strickland on social media on October 5, challenging the reigning UFC middleweight champion to fight again and telling him to “send me location.” The message came amid growing uncertainty over Strickland’s next title defense and his reported contract dispute with the UFC.
The offer does not represent an official UFC booking, and there is currently no confirmed date, venue or agreement for a rematch.
Khamzat Chimaev Makes $1 Million Offer to Sean Strickland
Chimaev’s message was short and direct.
“Strickland I will pay you 1 🍋 Send me location and let’s fight don’t care outside inside the cage.”
The lemon emoji represented his reference to $1 million. Chimaev’s wording also suggested that he is not particularly concerned about whether the fight happens through the UFC or under another arrangement.
However, the statement remains a public challenge rather than a formal fight proposal. There is no indication that the UFC has approved a rematch or that Strickland has accepted the offer. As of the latest reports, Strickland has not publicly responded to Chimaev’s $1 million challenge.
Strickland Handed Chimaev the First Loss of His Career
The renewed rivalry goes back to UFC 328 in May. Chimaev entered the fight as the undefeated UFC middleweight champion and one of the most feared wrestlers in the division. Strickland, meanwhile, was looking to reclaim the championship after losing the belt previously.
The fight went the full five rounds, with Strickland securing a split decision victory on scores of 48 – 47, 48 – 47 and 47 – 48. The result gave Strickland the middleweight championship and handed Chimaev the first professional defeat of his career.
The loss remains the only blemish on Chimaev’s professional record. Chimaev has since made it clear that he wants another opportunity against the man who ended his unbeaten run.
Strickland’s Next Fight Is Also Uncertain
The timing of Chimaev’s challenge is particularly interesting because Strickland’s next title defense remains unresolved. Nassourdine Imavov has emerged as the leading contender for a shot at the middleweight championship. However, negotiations between Strickland and the UFC have reportedly stalled over money.
Imavov even offered to put $500,000 of his own money on the line if Strickland agreed to fight him in January and defeated him. That offer came just days before Chimaev’s much larger proposal.
Strickland was reportedly being considered for UFC 335 in December, but that fight did not materialize. The event will instead be headlined by Charles Oliveira vs. Diego Lopes for the BMF title. That situation has created an unusual opening for Chimaev.
Chimaev Wants to Settle the Score
Chimaev’s latest challenge is about more than simply returning to the UFC title picture. The defeat to Strickland was the first time Chimaev had experienced a loss as a professional fighter. A rematch would give him the opportunity to erase that setback and potentially reclaim the middleweight championship. There is also unfinished business between the two fighters.
Their UFC 328 buildup was highly contentious, although they appeared to put their differences aside after the fight. In recent months, however, the rivalry has started to resurface through their public comments.
Chimaev’s latest offer has now taken that rivalry to another level. Rather than waiting for the UFC to determine the next contender, the former champion has essentially put a price on the rematch himself.
Will Sean Strickland Accept?
For now, that remains the biggest question. Strickland has not accepted Chimaev’s offer, and there is no indication that the UFC is considering a rematch outside its normal matchmaking process.
The situation is also complicated by Strickland’s status as the reigning champion. If he returns to the Octagon, his next fight is expected to have major title implications. Chimaev therefore faces a difficult path back to the championship. If Strickland fights Imavov next, Chimaev could have to wait for the outcome before getting another title opportunity. But Chimaev clearly does not want to wait.
The former champion has now offered $1 million to make the rematch happen. Whether Strickland accepts the challenge, responds publicly or continues pursuing a title defense against Imavov could determine one of the UFC middleweight division’s biggest storylines heading into 2027. For now, the ball is in Strickland’s court.
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