Chimaev: Strickland Should Take Rematch If He Wants Paid

Khamzat Chimaev says he believes he should still be the UFC middleweight champion and is calling for Sean Strickland to accept a rematch if Strickland is serious about making money.

Chimaev's comments put Strickland on notice without a fight actually being booked. There's no official bout agreement here, just Chimaev stating his position publicly and daring Strickland to follow the money.

What Chimaev Actually Said

Chimaev's argument is simple: he thinks the middleweight title belongs to him, and he's framing a rematch with Strickland as the biggest and most lucrative fight the division can offer right now. By tying the pitch to Strickland's bank account rather than just a callout for sport, Chimaev is trying to make this look like a business decision Strickland can't afford to turn down.

Strickland has not publicly responded as of this writing, and the UFC has not announced any matchup between the two. Until that happens, this is a challenge thrown out in public, not a confirmed fight.

Betting Angle

With no bout agreement in place, there's nothing on the board yet for sportsbooks to price. If the UFC does eventually book Chimaev and Strickland, expect plenty of early market movement once odds open, given how much attention both fighters draw. For now, bettors should treat this as a storyline to monitor rather than a fight to handicap.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Khamzat Chimaev say about Sean Strickland?

Khamzat Chimaev said he believes he should still be the UFC middleweight champion and that Sean Strickland should accept a rematch if he wants to make money.

Is a Chimaev vs. Strickland rematch officially booked?

No, as of this report the UFC has not announced a bout agreement between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland.