Chimaev tells Strickland they will meet again soon

Khamzat Chimaev sent a pointed message to middleweight champion Sean Strickland in the hours following their UFC 328 clash on May 9, telling "Tarzan" that the two will see each other again soon — a signal that Chimaev may be shelving any plans to move up in weight class in favor of a rematch.

Strickland, 35, holds the middleweight title with a professional record of 31-7-0. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture is known for relentless volume striking, averaging an elite 6.04 significant strikes per minute. Standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, he has proven himself one of the division's most durable and active champions.

Chimaev, 32, enters any rematch conversation as the division's top-ranked contender and sits at number 10 in the pound-for-pound rankings. The UAE-based Allstars Training Center product carries a 15-1-0 record and is among the most complete fighters in the sport. He averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 60 percent of his significant strikes — a finishing combination that makes him a threat from anywhere on the mat or on the feet.

Why it matters

• A rematch between the number-one contender and the reigning champion would be among the biggest middleweight bouts the UFC could book.
• Chimaev's message suggests he is not immediately pursuing a move to light heavyweight, keeping the 185-pound division's top picture intact.
• The stylistic contrast — Strickland's high-volume striking against Chimaev's grappling-heavy pressure and elite takedown rate — guarantees an engaging rematch dynamic.
• At 32 and 35 respectively, both fighters are in the prime window of their careers, adding urgency to a potential second meeting.