Khamzat Chimaev appears to have emotionally changed his mind about moving to light heavyweight and now wants a rematch with Sean Strickland. The post questions whether this decision is justified or if moving up in weight would be a better option. Details about what prompted this change of heart are limited. Chimaev's future plans remain uncertain as he weighs his options following their recent fight.
Reports are circulating that Khamzat Chimaev has had a change of heart regarding a potential move to light heavyweight and is now pushing for a rematch against middleweight champion Sean Strickland. The situation is unconfirmed, and Chimaev's next step remains officially undecided as of May 2026.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," carries a 15-1 record and is currently ranked first in the middleweight division, sitting tenth on the pound-for-pound list. The 32-year-old representing the United Arab Emirates trains out of Allstars Training Center and has 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 sits at a remarkable 60 percent, one of the higher marks in the division.
Standing across from him would be Sean Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion. "Tarzan" is 31-7 and at 35 years old continues to push a high-volume striking game, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach that helps him control distance from his orthodox stance. The American product of Xtreme Couture has proven durable and active at the top of the division.
Why it matters
- A rematch would pit the division's top-ranked contender directly against the champion, making it an immediately title-relevant booking.
- Chimaev's reported decision to stay at middleweight rather than move up keeps the 185-pound title picture in focus around one of its most decorated wrestlers.
- The stylistic contrast — Chimaev's elite grappling versus Strickland's high-output striking — gives a second meeting genuine intrigue.
- Because this remains an unconfirmed report, any formal announcement or promotional confirmation has yet to materialize.
