Sean Strickland's head coach Eric Nicksick believes Strickland earned the next middleweight title shot against champion Khamzat Chimaev after his impressive stoppage win over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston on February 21. Nicksick highlighted Strickland's peak performance and 'style points' for finishing Hernandez, who was unbeaten in his last eight fights. This comes after Nassourd Imavov was initially favored, but a prior title booking fell through due to Chimaev's injury. The win bolsters Strickland's case in the crowded middleweight division, potentially leapfrogging Imavov. Expect UFC to announce Chimaev's next defense soon, with Strickland as a strong contender.
Eric Nicksick, head coach of Sean Strickland, is publicly calling for his fighter to receive the next middleweight title shot against champion Khamzat Chimaev following Strickland's stoppage victory over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston on February 21.
Strickland, nicknamed "Tarzan," holds a 31-7 record and is the reigning middleweight champion at 35 years old. The six-foot-one American out of Xtreme Couture throws at a high volume, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute, and his win over Hernandez drew particular praise from Nicksick for both the finish and the manner in which it was earned — what the coach called "style points." Strickland carries a 76-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance.
Hernandez, ranked third in the division at the time of the bout, came in carrying an eight-fight unbeaten streak and had established himself as a legitimate contender. The 32-year-old American is a well-rounded threat, averaging 5.88 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 60 percent, making the clean stoppage all the more significant for Strickland's case.
Chimaev, ranked first at middleweight and tenth pound-for-pound, holds a 15-1 record and carries his own formidable credentials. The 32-year-old fighting out of the UAE and Allstars Training Center averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and completes submissions at a rate of 1.8 attempts per 15 minutes, making him a threat in every phase. A prior title defense booking had already fallen through due to injury on Chimaev's side, leaving the division's top contender picture unsettled.
Why it matters
- Strickland's finish moves him ahead of Nassourd Imavov, who had previously been in line for a title shot before that booking collapsed
- The crowded middleweight division now has multiple credible claimants, putting pressure on the UFC to confirm Chimaev's next defense
- A Strickland-Chimaev rematch dynamic carries significant divisional weight given Strickland's championship pedigree and Chimaev's unfinished business at the top of the rankings
