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Khamzat Chimaev has made his intentions clear regarding his next UFC appearance, with Sean Strickland and Nassourdine Imavov emerging as his preferred opponents as he looks to reclaim the middleweight championship.
Chimaev had entered the contest as one of the division’s most dominant grapplers, having previously defeated several high-profile opponents, including Dricus du Plessis, Kamaru Usman, Robert Whittaker and Gilbert Burns.
However, Strickland managed to neutralise significant portions of his wrestling offence and gradually took control of the striking exchanges.
The defeat was particularly frustrating for Chimaev, who has continued to argue that he deserved the judges’ decision. His team also suggested that health problems affected his preparation and performance before the championship contest.
Rather than accepting the result as the end of his title ambitions, Chimaev has maintained that he remains the division’s leading contender and deserves another opportunity to reclaim the championship.
Sean Strickland vs Nassourdine Imavov could determine next title challenger
While Chimaev waits for his next assignment, the possibility of a championship matchup between Strickland and Imavov has become an important storyline.
Imavov has established himself as one of the leading middleweight contenders through victories over several highly ranked opponents. The French fighter has also previously discussed the possibility of facing Chimaev, revealing that the UFC had considered multiple dates for their potential championship contest before injuries disrupted those plans.
Chimaev has acknowledged Imavov as a difficult opponent and believes he possesses the technical ability to challenge Strickland.
The former champion has also expressed a preference for Imavov to win the potential matchup, although his primary objective remains securing another opportunity to compete for the championship.
Strickland’s position is equally important. Having defeated Chimaev in their previous meeting, the American has the opportunity to strengthen his position as champion with another successful title defence.
A victory over Imavov would potentially set up a highly anticipated rematch against Chimaev, particularly given the controversy and disagreement surrounding their first encounter.
Khamzat Chimaev confirms he intends to remain at middleweight
Questions have also emerged regarding Chimaev’s future weight class, particularly following reports about his physical condition and difficulties associated with competing at 185 pounds.
However, the former champion has indicated that he intends to remain at middleweight rather than move up to light heavyweight.
Speaking to The National ahead of his wrestling appearance in Abu Dhabi, Chimaev reiterated his desire to reclaim the championship and defend it multiple times.
“I’m going to stay in my weight class, get my belt back, defend it a couple of times. Then we’ll see what the UFC wants to do,” he explained.
Chimaev has also acknowledged dealing with several injuries, particularly involving his hands. In an earlier interview with MMA Fighting, he revealed that he might need a short recovery period before returning to full training.
He suggested that the injuries would not keep him away for an extended period, although he would prefer to address the problems before committing to another demanding UFC training camp.
Chimaev remains active through Real American Freestyle
While waiting for his next UFC opportunity, Chimaev has continued competing in freestyle wrestling through Real American Freestyle (RAF).
The promotion is preparing for its Middle East debut in Abu Dhabi on November 14, where Chimaev is scheduled to face former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman after Colby Covington withdrew because of injury.
The contest provides another opportunity for Chimaev to remain active while waiting for the UFC to finalise his next assignment.
His continued involvement in wrestling also reflects his desire to maintain the grappling skills that have played a major role in his MMA success.
Chimaev has previously demonstrated exceptional wrestling dominance, including victories over several experienced competitors during his RAF appearances.
What comes next for Khamzat Chimaev?
Chimaev’s immediate future will largely depend on the UFC’s plans for the middleweight championship.
A potential Strickland vs Imavov contest could determine whether the former champion receives an immediate opportunity to reclaim the title. However, the promotion has yet to officially confirm the matchup or announce Chimaev’s next UFC appearance.
For now, the Chechen fighter remains focused on returning to competition and regaining the championship he lost in May.
His preference is clear: he wants the winner of Strickland vs Imavov. Nevertheless, he has indicated that he is prepared to accept another opponent if the UFC decides to take a different direction.
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