Khamzat Chimaev is pursuing an immediate rematch with Sean Strickland following his split-decision loss at UFC 328 last weekend, according to a statement from his team to ESPN.
Chimaev (15-1) lost the UFC middleweight championship to Strickland (31-7) in a closely contested five-round main event in Newark, New Jersey this past weekend. Two judges scored the bout 48-47 for Strickland, while the third judge awarded the fight 48-47 to Chimaev. The matchup was one of the UFC’s most anticipated fights of the year, with the promotion implementing additional security measures during fight week because of the tension between the fighters.
“The rematch with Sean Strickland is the only fight that Khamzat wants, he is obsessed with it,” Chimaev’s team said, according to ESPN. “That’s the only fight he will accept right now.”
UFC CEO Dana White said at the postfight news conference that Chimaev had expressed interest in moving up to the light heavyweight division following the defeat. However, Chimaev later posted “See you soon again” on social media, while his team confirmed that his priority remains a second fight with Strickland rather than a move to a new weight class.
It remains unclear whether the UFC or Strickland would support an immediate rematch. White described the possibility of Chimaev moving to light heavyweight as “exciting,” while Strickland said his first title defense could come against French contender Nassourdine Imavov.
Despite a heated buildup to their first meeting, the rivalry appeared to cool after the fight. Chimaev placed the championship belt around Strickland’s waist in a show of sportsmanship, while Strickland said their grudge had ended.
