Khamzat Chimaev has made clear he is eager for a rematch against Sean Strickland. Chimaev delivered a blunt warning to Strickland, vowing to finish him the second time around.
Khamzat Chimaev has publicly called out UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland, demanding a rematch and warning that he intends to finish the job the second time they meet.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," enters the conversation as the division's top-ranked contender and the number-ten fighter on the pound-for-pound list. The 32-year-old representing the United Arab Emirates carries a 15-1-0 record and trains out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden. At six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he is one of the most well-rounded threats in the division, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing 60 percent of his significant strikes — a remarkable accuracy figure for an elite fighter at his level.
Strickland, meanwhile, holds the middleweight title and brings a 31-7-0 record into any potential negotiation. The 35-year-old American, who trains at Xtreme Couture, stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach. He is one of the most active strikers in the division, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute, and has long been recognized for his relentless volume and output in the pocket.
Chimaev's callout was direct and unambiguous, with the Swede vowing to finish Strickland in a second meeting.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the number-one ranked middleweight contender, making this callout the most credible title challenge in the division
- A rematch would pit Chimaev's elite wrestling and striking accuracy against Strickland's high-volume output and championship experience
- Strickland's 76-inch reach gives him a one-inch advantage, but Chimaev's grappling threat at 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes presents a serious stylistic problem for the champion
- The outcome would have significant pound-for-pound implications, with Chimaev already sitting at number ten on that list
