Pyfer: Imavov Deserves Title Shot Over Chimaev

Joe Pyfer believes Nassourdine Imavov has done enough to earn the next crack at Sean Strickland's UFC middleweight title, and he does not think Khamzat Chimaev should jump the line for an immediate rematch.

Pyfer laid out his case in blunt terms. "I think Nassourdine deserves it," Pyfer told MMA Junkie. "He's on a win streak, he's finished guys, he also finished Izzy (Adesanya), he beat Brendan (Allen), who else did he beat? He beat a bunch of guys, and he looks good. He's in his prime, so give him that title shot."

Imavov has won five straight, a run that includes a finish of former champion Israel Adesanya and a win over Brendan Allen. Chimaev lost the middleweight belt to Strickland and has publicly pushed for an immediate rematch rather than letting the contenders list play out.

Why Pyfer Is Against an Immediate Chimaev Rematch

Pyfer's argument centers on Chimaev's health as much as his recent form. "I don't think that Khamzat deserves an immediate rematch. He just won the belt and then he just lost the belt," Pyfer said. He also flagged Chimaev's uncertain physical situation, noting Chimaev had talked about moving up to light heavyweight before an injury became part of the conversation. "First and foremost, he needs to take care of his health and be healthy, then he can worry about fighting. My personal opinion, I don't think he should fight injured because it just puts you in a bad spot," Pyfer said.

That take puts Pyfer at odds with Chimaev's own stated preference and frames the real question hanging over the middleweight division right now: does the promotion reward the fighter on the longer win streak, or does it run it back with the man who briefly held the belt before losing it to Strickland.

What This Means for the Betting Markets

Nothing is confirmed by the UFC yet, so there is no locked line to build a betting case around. Still, the public jockeying matters for anyone tracking futures markets on the middleweight title picture. A Strickland-Imavov booking and a Strickland-Chimaev rematch would likely price out very differently given how different the two challengers' styles and recent form are, so bettors should hold off on locking in futures until the promotion actually names the next challenger. Comments like Pyfer's carry weight in that conversation because they add a credible voice from inside the division pushing back on Chimaev's request for an immediate second shot.

For now this is a fight for position, not a fight for the cage, and Pyfer just made his preference clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Joe Pyfer think Nassourdine Imavov deserves a UFC middleweight title shot?

Yes, Joe Pyfer said Nassourdine Imavov has earned a title shot at Sean Strickland's middleweight belt, pointing to his five-fight win streak and finishes over Israel Adesanya and Brendan Allen.

What does Khamzat Chimaev want after losing the middleweight title to Sean Strickland?

Khamzat Chimaev has publicly pushed for an immediate rematch with Sean Strickland after losing the middleweight championship to him, rather than letting other contenders like Nassourdine Imavov get the next shot.

Has the UFC confirmed Nassourdine Imavov's next fight?

As of this report, the UFC has not officially confirmed who will challenge Sean Strickland next for the middleweight title, though Nassourdine Imavov is widely seen as the leading candidate.