Sean
Strickland says a rematch is close to being finalized with
Nassourdine
Imavov.

Rumors have been circulating about the next
Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight title fight, with
Strickland and Imavov potentially set to run it back. With the
UFC's annual December numbered event in Las Vegas still without a
headliner, Strickland claims that the finer details are being
ironed out before the bout can be confirmed.

Strickland says pay talks are the final hurdle before the
Imavov rematch is locked in

According to the two-time champion, the two sides are discussing
pay before the booking becomes official for UFC 335.
Strickland also took a dig at Imavov, suggesting that the Frenchman
isn't a major draw.

“We’re discussing pay now,†Strickland wrote on X. “Once that
detail is squared its locked in. The issue is no one cares about
the fake Frenchman. We’re almost there.â€

Strickland defeated Khamzat
Chimaev in a major upset to win the middleweight title for the
second time this past June. Imavov, whose most recent loss came
against Strickland in 2023, has since mounted a five-fight winning
streak against elite opposition, including victories over Caio
Borralho and Israel
Adesanya in UFC Fight Night headliners.

We’re discussing pay now. Once that detail
is squared its locked in. The issue is no one cares about the fake
Frenchman. We’re almost there 👊
#JesuisCharlie https://t.co/s7Bq48W9Pb

— Sean
Strickland (@SStricklandMMA)
September 27, 2026

Mehemmedali
Osmanli's feud with Ilimbek
Akylbek Uulu remains unresolved.

Osmanli and Akylbek Uulu clashed in the bantamweight final of “The
Ultimate Fighter 34†on Sept. 26 at Meta Apex in Las Vegas. Bad
blood developed from their time on Michael
Bisping's team at the “TUF†house, which came to a head at

UFC Vegas 121. Osmanli landed an illegal knee and Akylbek Uulu
was declared the winner via disqualification.

Mehemmedali Osmanli accuses Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu of
exaggerating the effects of his illegal knee

Osmanli landed a knee on a grounded Akylbek Uulu less than halfway
through the first round. Akylbek Uulu couldn't continue, resulting
in Osmanli's disqualification. However, Osmanli has now accused his
opponent of exaggerating the effects of the illegal strike.

Osmanli claims Akylbek Uulu initially grabbed his leg after getting
kneed and believes the Kyrgyz fighter only began exaggerating his
reaction as soon as the referee stepped in.

“He's fake,†Osmanli said on Instagram Live. “First, he take my
leg. When referee stopped, he [put on a] show, like a clown.â€

The loss was the second of Osmanli's professional career and
snapped a nine-fight unbeaten streak.

That one was…. not legal.

[
#UFCVegas121 | LIVE on @ParamountPlus
] pic.twitter.com/0304U5ELFc

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount)
September 27, 2026

Mahammadali Osmanli Believes Ilimbek Akylbek
Faked The Damage From The Illegal Knee To Win At
#UFCVegas121 via His IG Live pic.twitter.com/jjN0UOgTxv

— Kevin (@realkevink)
September 27, 2026

Two undefeated featherweight prospects could be on a collision
course.

Paddy
Pimblett's teammate, Luke Riley,
has revealed that he is likely to return to
Ultimate Fighting Championship action in December in Las Vegas.
However, the Liverpool native stopped short of issuing a callout.
When asked about a potential fight against Sean
O’Malley's teammate Tommy
McMillen, Riley admitted that he likes the matchup, predicting
a quick finish.

Luke Riley likes a potential UFC matchup with fellow unbeaten
featherweight Tommy McMillen

Riley praised McMillen for bringing more attention to the
featherweight division and said he'll gladly accept a fight against
the polarizing American. The Englishman believes that he'd knock
McMillen out in the first round if they squared off.

“Me and Tommy would have a great fight,†Riley told Ronins MMA.
“Look, I like Tommy. He's bringing the fire back to the division. I
like what he's doing. So, me and Tommy would have a great fight. I
would knock Tommy out in Round 1. 100%.â€

Riley (14-0) has finished two of his three UFC wins since making
his promotional debut last year. He is coming off a first-round
stoppage of Kai Kamaka
III from this past July. Meanwhile, McMillen (12-0) has also
finished two of his three UFC wins since making his Octagon debut
this past April and has earned a bonus for each win.

The
Dana White's Contender Series signee handed fellow prospect
Marwan
Rahiki his first professional loss in a three-round war in a
Fight of the Year contender at
Noche UFC 4.