Strickland Says Imavov Title Fight 'Almost There'

Sean Strickland says his middleweight title defense against Nassourdine Imavov is close to being finalized, with pay terms the only thing left to sort out.

"We're discussing pay now," Strickland wrote on X in response to a fan asking about the matchup. "Once that detail is squared its locked in. The issue is no one cares about the fake Frenchman. We're almost there."

Strickland has held UFC gold twice now, most recently after a win over Khamzat Chimaev that made him a two-time middleweight champion. That win was also a box office hit for the UFC, with the buildup between Strickland and Chimaev turning into one of the promotion's more heated rivalries in recent memory.

Why Is Strickland Talking Money Before the Fight Is Announced?

Strickland's comments make clear the bout isn't official yet, and that money is the holdup. He's framing Imavov as a lesser draw than Chimaev, which lines up with how fight pay typically works in the UFC: bigger names on the other side of the cage usually mean a bigger check. Strickland's own stock has risen fast thanks to his outspoken personality as much as his in-cage results, and he appears to be using that leverage to avoid taking a pay cut just because his upcoming opponent isn't as big a name as his last one.

Imavov is widely regarded as the legitimate No. 1 contender at 185 pounds, but Strickland's public shot at him, calling him a fighter nobody cares about, is as much a negotiating tactic as it is trash talk. Champions who can credibly claim they're the reason a card sells tickets tend to get paid like it.

What This Means for the Middleweight Picture

A finalized Strickland-Imavov fight would set up the champion's first title defense since beating Chimaev, and it puts the UFC in position to book a marquee middleweight fight it currently doesn't have on its calendar. Imavov has been positioned as the top contender in the division, and getting this fight locked in matters for the UFC beyond just Strickland's price tag. Promotions need champions defending belts regularly, and a prolonged standoff over pay only delays that.

For bettors, there isn't a firm line to react to yet since the fight hasn't been officially booked, but expect markets to move quickly once it's confirmed given the interest in Strickland as a fighter and titleholder. Strickland's willingness to talk pay publicly suggests he knows his drawing power carries real weight in these negotiations, and that dynamic is worth watching as more details emerge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Sean Strickland vs Nassourdine Imavov fight official?

Not yet. Sean Strickland said the fight is 'almost there' but that pay terms still need to be finalized before it's officially booked.

What did Sean Strickland say about Nassourdine Imavov?

Strickland said discussions over his pay are the last step before the middleweight title fight is locked in, while also suggesting Imavov isn't a major draw.

How did Sean Strickland become UFC middleweight champion again?

Sean Strickland won the UFC middleweight title for the second time with a win over Khamzat Chimaev, a fight that also drew major interest due to their heated rivalry.