Khamzat Chimaev has once again addressed Sean Strickland on social media following Strickland's victory at UFC 328. The post indicates Chimaev is continuing their rivalry despite losing the fight. This marks another chapter in the ongoing war of words between the two fighters. The specific content of Chimaev's message was not detailed in the original post. The callout comes as both fighters consider their next moves in the middleweight division.
Khamzat Chimaev has taken to social media to call out Sean Strickland once more, just days after Strickland defeated him at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026. The post signals that Chimaev has no intention of letting the rivalry cool, even in the wake of a loss that hands him the first defeat of his professional career.
Strickland, known as "Tarzan," enters the aftermath of UFC 328 as middleweight champion with a record of 31-7-0. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture and stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, is one of the division's most active strikers, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute. His relentless volume and forward pressure have defined his path to the title.
Chimaev, nicknamed "Borz," now sits at 15-1-0 following the defeat — the sole blemish on what had been a flawless professional record. The 32-year-old fighting out of the United Arab Emirates and training at Allstars Training Center was ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound heading into the contest. At six-foot-two, he brings an elite grappling game to the table, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and a 60 percent striking accuracy rate, making him one of the most dangerous all-around fighters in the weight class.
The specific wording of Chimaev's social media message was not detailed, but the callout itself makes clear he is pursuing a second crack at Strickland rather than stepping away from the rivalry.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's first career loss does not remove him from the title picture, given his number-one divisional ranking going into UFC 328.
- A rematch between these two would carry significant weight for the middleweight title and could be a natural next booking for the champion.
- The stylistic contrast — Strickland's high-volume striking versus Chimaev's wrestling-heavy, high-accuracy offense — gives any sequel fight a compelling dynamic.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
