Khamzat Chimaev has reiterated his desire for a rematch with UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland, insisting that he is prepared to follow the American into a higher weight division if necessary.
Chimaev suffered a split decision defeat to Strickland at UFC 328 in May, with the judges scoring the contest 48-47, 48-47 and 47-48 in favour of the American. The result ended Chimaev’s hopes of retaining the middleweight championship, with Strickland emerging victorious following a closely contested five-round encounter.
“We will make the matchup, don’t worry,” Chimaev said while attending Real American Freestyle 14 in Las Vegas. “Light heavyweight, heavyweight, wherever he goes, we go after him. But yeah, I’m the hunter. He’s a chicken running away. If he goes [to heavyweight] I go up.”
The pair had exchanged heated remarks in the build-up to their first meeting, although tensions appeared to ease immediately afterwards when they embraced inside the Octagon. Strickland subsequently suggested that much of their pre-fight hostility had been exaggerated to generate interest in the contest.
Chimaev has expressed an interest in returning to competition sooner rather than later, although he has also acknowledged dealing with several injuries. The 32-year-old has competed just once annually in recent years, having last fought more than once in a calendar year in 2022.
No rematch has been announced, and it remains unclear whether Chimaev will be granted an immediate opportunity to regain the title or required to record another victory before challenging Strickland again.
