Khamzat Chimaev Hints at Potential Opponent For Upcoming Title Defense
The middleweight division in the past two years has seen five different champions, from Israel Adesanya to now Khamzat Chimaev. It is one of the most exciting divisions, with many fighters who have championship caliber. Now that Chimaev has become champion after taking the title from Dricus Du Plessis, he is waiting for his first title defense and has hinted at who he wants next.
Recently on X, he called out Colby Covington and challenged him to a grappling bout after RAF 6. A fan then asked if he is currently injured, given there has been no news about his next fight and it has been over six to seven months since he last fought. To which he replied, “No I waiting for strikiland.”
No I waiting for strikiland
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) March 1, 2026
Earlier, both exchanged harsh words, from Strickland’s Islamophobic comments to Chimaev dismissing him as nothing, which fueled their heated rivalry. Now that the former champion has defeated Anthony Hernandez, he is back in title contention.
‘Fluffy’ looked like a real threat in the division, but after silencing him, the American fighter now stands as a frontrunner for a title shot. And earlier, ‘Tarzaan’ called he is the only one who can beat Chimaev.
Sean Strickland Feels He Can Outclass Khamzat Chimaev Easily
Strickland came to Houston with something to prove and left with exactly what he needed: a statement win and a clear path back toward the title conversation. After outclassing Hernandez, Strickland wasted no time pointing at the next target. The middleweight picture now has an interesting wrinkle, and Strickland believes he is the man to solve the Khamzat Chimaev puzzle that the division has been circling around for years.
He said, “That’d be a big fight. I think I’m probably the only one that could beat Chimaev. I honestly think Fluffy is a better wrestler than Chimaev. Over five rounds, Fluffy is a better wrestler than Chimaev. It’s kind of weird what the UFC did with Chimaev. You brought a guy that fights once a year – the guy doesn’t need to fight. He’s best friends with a warlord.”
On paper, the matchup looks like a nightmare for Strickland. Chimaev is a freight train, a freestyle wrestler who has used his physical dominance to steamroll nearly every opponent the UFC has put in front of him. However, Strickland feels he has the tools to outclass the Russian fighter.
Khamzat Chimaev Hints at Potential Opponent For Upcoming Title Defense
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