Strickland has said that his next
Ultimate Fighting Championship Defending the title is almost impossible Nassourdine Imavovwith only a wallet left to complete. A fight was initially announced UFC 335 in December, but now it looks like it will be in 2027.
Imavov has offered to pay Strickland $500,000 if he accepts the bout, and former champ Khamzat Chimaev is now ready to bid double for a rematch with the champion.
Khamzat Chimaev doubles Nassourdine Imavov’s bid to fight Sean Strickland
Strickland is rumored to be demanding $1 million for the fight, but the UFC is reportedly only willing to pay $400,000 to show and $400,000 to win. Imavovi has offered to pay Strickland half a million dollars if he beats him, and Chimaev has now followed in Imavov’s footsteps by offering the reigning middleweight champion $1 million to bounce back from his loss to the American in May.
“Strickland I pay you 1 Send me a location and let’s fight don’t care outside the cage,” Chimaev posted to X.
Former champion Chimaev (15-1) put his middleweight title on the line for the first time at UFC 328 against Strickland (31-7). Although heavily favored going into the fight, Chimaev looked worn down as the match progressed and was unable to consistently push his wrestling. Strickland dethroned “Borz” by split decision, handing him his first professional loss in a huge upset.
Striciland I’ll pay you 1 🍋 Send me the location and let’s fight outside the cage 🦾
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev)
October 5, 2026
Nassourdine Imavov offers Sean Strickland $500,000 if he beats him 😳 “If it’s really about money, I’ll put $500,000 of my money on the line if you beat me in January. I’ll write it down. If you still don’t take it, you’re just scared. I’ll deal with you outside the cage, fake master. STRIP HIM.”
— Championship Stages (@ChampRDS)
October 4, 2026