Khamzat Chimaev has once again reached out to Sean Strickland via social media following the American's victory at UFC 328. The post did not specify the content of Chimaev's message, but it marks at least the second time he has publicly addressed Strickland after losing their fight. This continued social media activity comes in the aftermath of a fight that was heavily promoted through personal antagonism between the two fighters. Chimaev's repeated attempts to communicate with Strickland suggest he may be seeking closure or potentially angling for a rematch. The nature of his messages was not detailed in the brief post.
Khamzat Chimaev has taken to social media for at least the second time to publicly address Sean Strickland following the middleweight champion's victory over him at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026. The specific content of Chimaev's messages has not been detailed, but the repeated outreach has drawn attention in the days since the fight concluded.
Strickland, nicknamed "Tarzan," improved to 31-7-0 with the win and retained his middleweight championship. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, is a relentless pressure fighter who lands 6.04 significant strikes per minute and carries a 76-inch reach at six-foot-one. The bout was built heavily on personal animosity between the two men, a dynamic that clearly has not fully dissolved in its aftermath.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," absorbed his first professional defeat, dropping to 15-1-0. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates and trains at Allstars Training Center, entered the fight ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth on the pound-for-pound list. Standing six-foot-two with a 60 percent striking accuracy and an elite takedown rate of 5.29 per 15 minutes, he was considered one of the most dangerous challengers available to Strickland.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's repeated public contact with Strickland after the loss raises the possibility he is pursuing a rematch at middleweight.
- The pre-fight rivalry was among the most personal in recent divisional memory, which may explain why tensions have continued past fight night.
- A rematch between the division's champion and its top-ranked contender would carry significant title implications regardless of the circumstances prompting it.
The nature of Chimaev's messages remains unclear, and no official response from Strickland or his camp has been reported.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
