Outside Source
Khamzat Chimaev wants another shot at Sean Strickland. | Getty/UFC
Khamzat Chimaev may not be headed to the light heavyweight division just yet.
A statement from Chimaev’s team provided to ESPN on Tuesday revealed that the Chechen standout is instead focused on a return date with Sean Strickland. Entering UFC 328 as a heavy favorite, “Borz” relinquished his middleweight crown to Strickland in a surprising split-decision defeat.
“The rematch with Sean Strickland is the only fight that Khamzat wants, he is obsessed with it,” the statement read. “That’s the only fight he will accept right now.”
That’s a shift from what UFC CEO Dana White indicated shortly after Saturday’s main event at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. At the post-fight press conference, White revealed that Chimaev told him that UFC 328 was his last bout at 185 pounds. However, Chimaev also tweeted “See you soon again” to Strickland, perhaps hinting that he had unfinished business at middleweight.
Fake Beef and a Bad Cut
Both Strickland and Chimaev have received criticism within the MMA community for manufactured animosity leading up to their title fight, as both athletes touched gloves repeatedly during the matchup. After the bout, Strickland admitted that much of the pre-fight vitriol directed at his former training partner was in the name of selling the fight.
Chimaev’s staying power at 185 pounds came into question in Round 2 of the UFC 328 headliner, when he appeared to gas out following a failed takedown. Though Chimaev ultimately recovered and made it a competitive fight down the stretch, that moment made many recall how difficult the former champion’s weight cut appeared to be.
The 32-year-old Chimaev began his MMA career with 15 straight triumphs — including nine in UFC competition. He claimed middleweight gold with a dominant five-round verdict over Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 last August. It’s unclear if Chimaev will receive an immediate title shot because Nassourdine Imavov, who has won five straight contests at 185 pounds, appears to be the division’s No. 1 contender in waiting.
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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