Chimaev Offers Strickland $1M for Rematch, Avoid Queue

Khamzat Chimaev has publicly offered Sean Strickland $1 million to fight him again outside of a UFC title bout, taking to social media to make the pitch directly rather than wait for a sanctioned rematch.

Chimaev's offer, posted in slang referencing a "lemon" for a million dollars, told Strickland to send a location so the two can settle things, adding he does not care whether the fight happens in a cage or outside one. It's the clearest sign yet that Chimaev has no interest in standing in line for another crack at UFC gold.

The frustration makes sense given the circumstances. Strickland took Chimaev's unbeaten record away in May when he won a split decision at UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey, capturing the middleweight title in the process. That loss was the first of Chimaev's career, and he has been pushing for an immediate rematch ever since. The problem for "Borz" is that Nassourdine Imavov appears to be next in line for a shot at the belt, even though nothing has been finalized by the promotion.

Why Imavov Is Also Involved

Nassourdine Imavov has added his own money to the conversation, offering Strickland $500,000 of his own cash if Strickland beats him in a fight he says is scheduled for January. Imavov framed it as a direct challenge to Strickland's toughness, saying he'd put the money on the line and daring Strickland to accept or be labeled scared. The message doubled as a shot at Strickland's standing as champion, with Imavov calling him a "fake champ" and demanding he be stripped if he ducks the fight.

Taken together, the two offers paint a picture of a middleweight division where the champion suddenly has leverage he's never had before. Strickland went from betting underdog at UFC 328 to the guy two ranked contenders are throwing personal money at just to get him in a cage.

What It Means for the Betting Markets

None of this changes the matchmaking reality: the UFC controls who fights for the title, not a social media bidding war. Imavov is reportedly next in line for Strickland's belt, which means Chimaev's money offer is more about pressure and leverage than an actual bout getting booked outside the promotion's structure. For bettors, the real number to watch is whatever line opens if and when Strickland-Imavov becomes official, since that fight carries the title implications. Chimaev remains the betting favorite in the minds of most fans to eventually get his rematch given his resume, but until the UFC confirms that fight, any odds tied to Chimaev-Strickland II are speculative. The side money offers are a marketing play as much as anything, a way for both contenders to keep their names in the conversation while the champion decides what's next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Khamzat Chimaev really offer Sean Strickland $1 million to fight him?

Yes, Khamzat Chimaev publicly offered Sean Strickland $1 million to fight him again, telling him to send a location for the bout either inside or outside the UFC cage.

Why does Khamzat Chimaev want to fight Sean Strickland again?

Sean Strickland handed Khamzat Chimaev the first loss of his career via split decision at UFC 328 in May 2026 to win the middleweight title, and Chimaev has been pushing for an immediate rematch since.

Is Sean Strickland fighting Nassourdine Imavov next?

Nassourdine Imavov is reportedly next in line to challenge Sean Strickland for the UFC middleweight title, though the UFC has not made the matchup official, and Imavov has offered Strickland $500,000 if he wins that fight.