Khamzat Chimaev has made clear he is targeting a rematch with Sean Strickland, expressing confidence that the outcome will be different next time. Chimaev was direct in his message, vowing to finish Strickland in a second meeting.
Khamzat Chimaev has publicly called out middleweight champion Sean Strickland, demanding a rematch and promising a finish the second time around. The callout came on June 12, 2026, with Chimaev leaving little doubt about his intentions, vowing to take Strickland's head off in a second meeting.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," enters the conversation as the number-one ranked middleweight in the world and tenth on the pound-for-pound list. The 32-year-old, representing the United Arab Emirates out of Allstars Training Center, carries a 15-1-0 record and brings some of the most dominant grappling numbers in the division. He averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes, complemented by a striking accuracy of 60 percent — one of the higher marks among active contenders at 185 pounds. At six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he presents a formidable physical profile.
Standing across from him is Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion out of Xtreme Couture. "Tarzan" is 35 years old, holds a 31-7-0 record, and has built his title reign on relentless volume striking. The American stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and lands 6.04 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the busiest offensive fighters in the division.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the division's top-ranked contender, making this callout a natural title-fight conversation
- A rematch carries added weight given Chimaev's sole professional loss and his stated desire to correct it
- The stylistic clash pits Strickland's high-volume striking output against Chimaev's elite wrestling and submission threat
- Both fighters are in their primes, ensuring the middleweight title picture remains focused on this rivalry
