Following his loss at UFC 328, Khamzat Chimaev appears to have emotionally reconsidered his previously stated plans to move up to light heavyweight. According to the report, Chimaev now wants a rematch with Sean Strickland instead of changing weight classes. The post questions whether this decision is justified or if moving up in weight would be the better option. This represents a potential shift in Chimaev's career trajectory following his title fight loss. The emotional nature of the decision suggests it may have been made in the immediate aftermath of the fight.
Two days after suffering the first loss of his professional career at UFC 328, Khamzat Chimaev appears to have walked back his plans to move up to light heavyweight, instead setting his sights on a rematch with middleweight champion Sean Strickland.
Chimaev, 32, entered the title fight as the No. 1 ranked middleweight and the No. 10 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, carrying a 15-0 record and one of the most dominant stat profiles in the division. Fighting out of Allstars Training Center and representing the United Arab Emirates, the six-foot-two "Borz" had built his reputation on relentless wrestling — averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes — combined with striking accuracy of 60 percent. His loss at UFC 328 marked the first blemish on that record.
Strickland, the 35-year-old champion from the United States, is a volume striker who throws at a pace of 6.04 significant strikes per minute out of an orthodox stance. Fighting out of Xtreme Couture, the six-foot-one "Tarzan" carries a 31-7 record and a 76-inch reach. His ability to sustain pressure across five rounds has become a defining feature of his championship tenure.
Reports indicate that Chimaev's reconsideration of the weight class move came quickly following the defeat, with the emotional timing of the decision noted as a potential factor in whether it reflects a settled long-term plan.
Why it matters
- Chimaev remains the top-ranked middleweight despite the loss, keeping him in immediate title contention
- A Strickland rematch would be a high-profile championship bout; a move to light heavyweight would have opened a new divisional path
- The contrast in styles — Chimaev's elite wrestling against Strickland's high-output striking — made their first meeting compelling and shapes the rematch narrative
- Whether the decision holds may depend on how Chimaev and his team assess it away from the immediate aftermath of UFC 328
Saturday, May 9, 2026
