UFC Rumors: Insider Update Confirms Title Shot or Sean Strickland Fight in Place for Khamzat Chimaev

Feb 21, 2024 | 8:29 PM EST

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Khamzat Chimaev has multiple prospects ahead of him. The middleweight division might just be one of the most eventful divisions in the UFC right now. Recently, the middleweight belt exchanged hands and many are looking forward to the return of former champion Israel Adesanya.

So what does it mean for the future of ‘Borz’? He is yet to have another fight in the middleweight division after his Kamaru Usman bout at UFC 294. Even Usman has hinted at his desire for a rematch but here’s an MMA insider who believes that Chimaev’s next opponent might just be Sean Strickland.

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Is Khamzat Chimaev ready to battle Sean Strickland?

Khamzat Chimaev has always maintained that he would fight anyone anywhere. He has previously beefed with Sean Strickland when the fighter was still the middleweight champion. Now, Josh Thomson of the Weighin In podcast believes there’s a shot at the fight actually happening. “I look at Paulo Costa and I would love to see him and Chimaev fight but I know that now that he’s lost this fight and then Chimaev.” They’ve got plans for him, everyone keeps talking about it. They want to see him and DDP or they want to see him and Strickland and, and, I don’t get, I’m not mad at it,” said Thomson.

A fight between Chimaev and Strickland would certainly prove interesting. ‘Tarzan’ is most prominently a striker with great technique while Chimaev is a brutal wrestler in his own right. Strickland has fought two amazing strikers for the title, ‘Izzy’ and ‘Stillknocks’, losing to the latter.

So it might just prove to be a great change of pace for the American who has yet to face a brilliant wrestler. The middleweight division doesn’t often see big fights with wrestling involved. ‘Borz’, in this way, would prove to be a great new introduction. Meanwhile, a fight between him and Adesanya was also rumored recently.

Dana White clarifies UFC Saudi Arabia rumors

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In a very viral post, a media house claimed that Israel Adesanya would be going up against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Saudi Arabia. The poster became so viral, that Dana White had to step in to address the rumors. He called out the poster for being completely fake.

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He told the fans that a fight between ‘Izzy’ and Chimaev was not happening. However, perhaps it’s still a possibility with the ‘Stylebender’ lurking somewhere around the UFC eyeing the perfect return. Multiple rumors also suggest that Adesanya has already started training. As to who he is training for remains unknown.

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Will he land a title shot before Chimaev? Time will tell, but until then, keep an eye on this space for the latest updates!

Also Read: Khamzat Chimaev Doesn’t Deserve a Shot at the Middleweight Title Unless He Does This, Claims Bo Nickal