MMA
Nassourdine Imavov hints at imminent UFC announcement as he confirms Sean Strickland clash
Published
15 hours agoon
Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLCUFC middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov sounds confident he'll get his long-awaited shot at the title against Sean Strickland.
Sean Strickland reclaimed the UFC middleweight title by handing Khamzat Chimaev his first loss earlier this year at UFC 328. Strickland defeated Chimaev by split decision to become one of the few two-time UFC middleweight titleholders in the promotion's history.
After Strickland and Chimaev's legendary showdown, speculation ran rampant that they would run it back in an immediate rematch later this year. Chimaev initially teased a full-time move to light heavyweight before changing his mind and refocusing on contending at 185 lbs.
As Chimaev prepares for a potential return to the Octagon, Strickland will turn his attention towards a likely rematch years in the making with top contender Nassourdine Imavov. In a short-notice matchup, Strickland defeated Imavov at the UFC Apex to continue his ascent in the middleweight division.
Almost a full year removed from Imavov's last UFC appearance, the UFC matchmakers haven't announced or confirmed Imavov as the next title challenger. Fight fans got the closest thing to a confirmation ahead of the UFC's return to Paris.
Nassourdine Imavov ‘has the date' for Sean Strickland title rematch
During a recent Q&A session with fans ahead of UFC Paris, Imavov was pressed on a timeline for his desired middleweight title shot.
“I know the date for my next fight, and it is for the title,†Imavov confirmed.
Strickland vs. Imavov could potentially take place at the upcoming Madison Square Garden card in November. UFC 334's full card hasn't been announced, and it could potentially feature a heavyweight title unification bout between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane.
In the meantime, it sounds like Imavov will get his long-desired title shot later this year.
What is your early prediction for Sean Strickland vs. Nassourdine Imavov 2? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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Jorge Masvidal credits Kimbo Slice for helping launch his fighting career
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Masvidal remembers exactly how Kimbo
Slice influenced his career.
Speaking to Daniel
Cormier, the former
Ultimate Fighting Championship title challenger and BMF champ
detailed how a shared connection to Miami’s Freestyle Fighting
Academy eventually led to him competing on Slice’s backyard-fight
platform.
Jorge Masvidal recalls how Kimbo Slice gave him a shot on his
backyard-fight platform
Masvidal revealed that he and Slice came from nearby areas, had
mutual friends and began training together at the same gym. By
then, Masvidal was already pursuing mixed martial arts
seriously.
“Well, particularly with Kimbo, it just so happened we didn't grow
up far from each other,†Masvidal said. “We had some friends in
common and we ended up at the same gym, Freestyle Fighting Academy,
and we started training.â€
Masvidal recalled already having amateur fights and grappling
experience when one of the gym owners asked Slice to watch him
spar. At the time, Slice's videos were generating massive attention
online.
“One of the gym owners asked him, goes, ‘Man, I got a really
talented dude. I want you to watch him spar and see if you'll put
him on,'†Masvidal said. “I always give him big props because he
put me on his platform. He didn't have to.â€
Masvidal said the fights were kept secret because organizers risked
fines and potential arrest, and recalled receiving just two hours’
notice before one event. The first event took place in Liberty
City, Miami, behind a laundromat. Before Masvidal’s bout, Slice
warned him about his opponent’s right hand.
“I'm going to give you the location right now. You got two hours to
get there,†Masvidal recalled being told. “He comes back about 20
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MMA
Khamzat Chimaev changes course on immediate Sean Strickland rematch
Published
5 hours agoon
September 5, 2026
Chimaev understands why Nassourdine
Imavov is the frontrunner to face Sean
Strickland.
Chimaev has been pushing for an immediate rematch with Strickland
after losing the
Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight title, but is now
open to waiting for a title shot. Amidst reports that Strickland
vs. Imavov 2 is being targeted for later this year, “Borz†has set
his sights on the victor.
Khamzat Chimaev wants the winner of Sean Strickland vs.
Nassourdine Imavov 2
Chimaev acknowledged that Imavov, who's won five fights in a row
since previously losing to Strickland, has been waiting for a
deserved title shot for quite some time.
“No, there's no surprise,†Chimaev told Ushatayka, as seen in a
clip reposted by Championship Rounds on X. “How long has Imavov
been waiting now? Probably around two years. He's already the
contender. Whoever wins, we'll take him.â€
In the same interview, Chimaev asserted that he has no plans to
leave the division, despite his team previously hinting at a light
heavyweight move in the aftermath of his loss to Strickland.
“No,†Chimaev replied when asked about moving up a weight class.
“Until we break everybody at 185, I'm not going anywhere.â€
🚨 Khamzat
Chimaev reacts to the rumors of Sean
Strickland defending his title against Nassourdine
Imavov in December:“There’s no surprise. How long has Imavov been waiting now? He’s
already the contender. Whoever wins, we’ll take him.”He also says he’s staying at… pic.twitter.com/Ke42SjzOLy
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS)
September 3, 2026
Israel Adesanya makes major training change amid UFC losing skid
Jorge Masvidal credits Kimbo Slice for helping launch his fighting career
Khamzat Chimaev changes course on immediate Sean Strickland rematch
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