Khamzat Chimaev Proposes Fight to Sean Strickland

Khamzat Chimaev has issued a public challenge to Sean Strickland, offering the former middleweight champion $1 million to face him again. Chimaev stated his willingness to fight inside or outside of the UFC cage, asking Strickland to provide a location for the encounter.

The two athletes previously met at UFC 328 in May 2026, where Strickland secured a split decision victory to claim the middleweight title. This loss marked the first defeat of Chimaev's professional career. While Nassourdine Imavov is currently reported as the next potential challenger for Strickland's belt, no official bout has been confirmed by the promotion.

Chimaev and Strickland experienced a tense rivalry leading up to their initial meeting, though they appeared to resolve their differences following their May clash. Strickland has not yet issued a public response to this latest offer.