Strickland: Pay Talks Are Final Hurdle for Imavov Title Fight

Sean Strickland says a Nassourdine Imavov title fight is close to official, with only the financial terms left to sort out. The UFC middleweight champion posted on social media that he and the promotion are hammering out pay before a bout with Imavov can be locked in.

"We're discussing pay now," Strickland wrote. "Once that detail is squared, its locked in. The issue is no one cares about the fake Frenchman. We're almost there."

The UFC has not formally announced Imavov as the next challenger, but Strickland's comments suggest the matchmaking is already well down the road and a contract is the last box to check.

Why Imavov Is Next in Line

Nassourdine Imavov has forced his way into the title picture with a five-fight win streak that includes two of the biggest scalps in the middleweight division. He capped it off in 2025 with wins over former champion Israel Adesanya and fellow contender Caio Borralho, and he ran the table in 2024 by beating Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier and Brendan Allen in a span of seven months. That run puts Imavov (17-4) squarely at the front of the queue, and Strickland's own words indicate the promotion agrees, even without an official press release.

Strickland (31-7) is coming off the biggest win of his career, reclaiming the middleweight title with a split decision upset of Khamzat Chimaev this past May. Beating the man many considered the division's most dangerous rising threat, and doing it in a manner close enough to require the judges' scorecards, only adds intrigue to whatever comes next for the belt.

What It Means for the Betting Market

Once the UFC makes this official, expect Strickland to open as the betting favorite given his status as the reigning champion coming off a signature win, though sharp bettors will want to watch how the line moves once fight week hype and public money come into play. Imavov's finishing ability and durability against elite competition make him a live underdog, and his price is worth tracking closely once a fight is announced and books post a number. Until the bout is officially booked, treat any line you see as speculative.

For now, the story is about the business side more than the fight itself. Once pay is finalized, look for the UFC to make the announcement, and for sportsbooks to move fast in setting an opening line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sean Strickland vs. Nassourdine Imavov official?

Not yet. Sean Strickland said on social media that he and the UFC are still finalizing pay terms before a middleweight title fight with Nassourdine Imavov can be locked in.

What is Nassourdine Imavov's UFC record and win streak?

Nassourdine Imavov is 17-4 and has won five straight fights, including 2025 victories over Israel Adesanya and Caio Borralho and a 2024 sweep of Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier and Brendan Allen.

How did Sean Strickland become UFC middleweight champion again?

Sean Strickland reclaimed the UFC middleweight title with a split decision win over Khamzat Chimaev this past May.