Hamzat Chimaev maintains that he did not truly lose his fight against Sean Strickland, describing the result as purely a judges' decision. Chimaev says he has been trying to secure a rematch but claims Strickland is avoiding training and making excuses about his shoulder. Chimaev says he is simply waiting for Dana White and Hunter Campbell to bring Strickland back into the cage.
Hamzat Chimaev is publicly rejecting the outcome of his fight against Sean Strickland, insisting the defeat existed only on the judges' scorecards and pushing hard for a second meeting between the two middleweights.
Chimaev has made clear he believes the result did not reflect what happened inside the cage. He has claimed he is actively pursuing a rematch but alleges Strickland is avoiding the fight, citing a shoulder issue as an excuse. Chimaev says he is now waiting on UFC president Dana White and executive Hunter Campbell to bring Strickland back to him.
Strickland, 35, holds the middleweight championship and carries a record of 31 wins and 7 losses. The American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, is known for relentless forward pressure and a high output striking game, averaging 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute with a 76-inch reach that allows him to control distance effectively. He has held the title while navigating a demanding division.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's callout puts direct pressure on the UFC and Strickland to respond publicly to rematch demands
- A Strickland-Chimaev sequel would carry significant championship implications at 185 pounds
- The shoulder injury claim, if substantiated, could delay any potential booking and affect the middleweight title picture
- Chimaev's framing of the loss as a judges' decision rather than a genuine defeat signals he enters any rematch with full confidence
