Khamzat Chimaev has seemingly changed his mind about moving up in weight class following UFC 328. The Chechen-Swedish fighter sent a message to Sean Strickland stating they will see each other again soon. This communication suggests Chimaev may be interested in a rematch at middleweight rather than proceeding with a move to light heavyweight. Chimaev's statement comes after his split decision loss to Strickland at UFC 328. The post indicates uncertainty about Chimaev's immediate future plans regarding weight classes.
Khamzat Chimaev appears to have shelved any plans to move up to light heavyweight, sending a pointed message to middleweight champion Sean Strickland just one day after UFC 328 that the two will meet again soon.
Chimaev, 32, suffered the second loss of his professional career at UFC 328 on May 9, dropping a split decision to Strickland. The Chechen-Swedish fighter, who competes out of Allstars Training Center, entered the bout as the number-one ranked middleweight contender and sits at number ten in the pound-for-pound rankings. His record now stands at 15-1, and his performance credentials remain formidable — he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and connects on 60 percent of his significant strikes, among the highest accuracy figures in the division.
Strickland, 35, successfully defended the middleweight title with the victory. Fighting out of Xtreme Couture, the American holds a 31-7 record and carries a relentless output of 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute, backing it up with a six-foot-one frame and a 76-inch reach. His ability to sustain high-volume pressure over championship rounds has defined his run at the top of the division.
The social media message from Chimaev stops short of formally requesting a rematch, but the implication is clear enough that a return to the 185-pound division appears to be on his mind rather than a step up to 205 pounds.
Why it matters
- Chimaev remains the top-ranked middleweight contender despite the loss, keeping him in immediate title contention
- A rematch would pit one of the division's most accurate strikers and elite grapplers against its highest-volume champion
- Any weight-class move to light heavyweight now appears on hold, which has implications for contender queues in both divisions
- The split-decision margin leaves a genuine sporting argument for a second fight between the two
Saturday, May 9, 2026
