Sean Strickland responded to a callout from Nassourdine Imavov following UFC 328. Strickland stated he will take a short break from fighting and instead travel to support his friend Alex Pereira at the White House. The response indicates Strickland is not immediately pursuing a fight with Imavov. No timeline was provided for when Strickland might return to action or address the callout.
Sean Strickland has responded to a callout from middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov in the wake of UFC 328, but the reigning middleweight champion made clear he is in no rush to address it. Strickland said he plans to take a short break from competition and instead travel to the White House to show support for his friend and fellow champion Alex Pereira.
Strickland, 35, holds a 31-7-0 record and has been one of the most active fighters in the middleweight division. The American out of Xtreme Couture stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and throws an exceptionally high volume of strikes, averaging 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute while fighting out of an orthodox stance.
Imavov, ranked first in the middleweight division, issued the callout following the UFC 328 card and now finds himself waiting for an answer. The 30-year-old Frenchman carries a 17-4-0 record and trains out of MMA Factory. Standing six-foot-three with a 75-inch reach, he is a precise striker who connects at a 54 percent accuracy rate and adds a submission threat, averaging one submission attempt per 15 minutes.
The man drawing Strickland's attention in the short term is light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, a close friend. Pereira, 38, holds a 13-4-0 record and fights out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness. The Brazilian stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach and connects at a remarkable 62 percent striking accuracy, averaging 5.16 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Strickland's delayed response leaves the middleweight title picture unsettled, with the division's top-ranked contender publicly waiting for a fight.
- Imavov at 17-4-0 and ranked first represents the clearest challenger in the division, making this matchup a logical next title defense whenever Strickland returns.
- No timeline was given for Strickland's return, meaning the middleweight title shot remains officially unscheduled.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
