Khamzat Chimaev appears to have reconsidered his plans to move up in weight class after his loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 328. Chimaev wrote to Strickland that they will see each other again soon, suggesting interest in an immediate rematch. This statement contradicts earlier indications that Chimaev would move to light heavyweight following the defeat. The quick turnaround in messaging indicates Chimaev may not be ready to abandon the middleweight division or accept the loss as final. A rematch would give Chimaev an opportunity to reclaim the title and restore his previously undefeated aura in the middleweight division.
Khamzat Chimaev appears to have reversed course on his post-fight plans, signaling interest in an immediate rematch with Sean Strickland just one day after losing to the middleweight champion at UFC 328 on May 9. Chimaev addressed Strickland directly, writing that they would see each other again soon — a sharp contrast to earlier indications that he intended to move up to light heavyweight following the defeat.
Strickland, 35, now carries a 31-7 record and holds the middleweight title fighting out of Xtreme Couture. The American stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute. He has now handed Chimaev the first loss of his professional career.
Chimaev enters the aftermath at 15-1, ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth on the pound-for-pound list. The 32-year-old from the United Arab Emirates trains out of Allstars Training Center and built his reputation on relentless grappling, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.8 submission attempts in the same window. His striking accuracy of 60 percent is among the highest in the sport. Before Saturday night, he had moved through the division without a blemish.
Why it matters
- Chimaev held the number-one middleweight ranking heading into UFC 328, so a rematch would carry immediate title implications
- His stated interest contradicts the light heavyweight talk, leaving his divisional future genuinely uncertain
- A grappling-heavy pressure fighter against a high-output, durable striker presents a compelling stylistic question for a second meeting
- Strickland's ability to neutralize Chimaev's wrestling would be a central storyline if the bout is made
Saturday, May 9, 2026
