Khamzat Chimaev seeks rematch with Sean Strickland before weight class change
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 18, 2026, 2:52 PM
Last updated Aug 18, 2026
Khamzat Chimaev, the former UFC middleweight champion, expressed frustration over not securing a rematch with current titleholder Sean Strickland after their fight at UFC 328 earlier this year. Chimaev stated he wants to pause his plans to switch weight classes and fight Strickland, who is reportedly recovering from a serious shoulder injury and may not return until the year's end. In the interim, Chimaev will compete in a wrestling match against Tyron Woodley on September 5 in Moscow, following a successful outing in June where he pinned Dillon Danis.
- •Chimaev lost to Strickland at UFC 328 earlier this year.
- •Chimaev wants an immediate rematch with Strickland.
- •Strickland is recovering from a shoulder injury.
- •Chimaev will wrestle Tyron Woodley on September 5 in Moscow.
- •Chimaev last competed for Real American Freestyle in June.
- 2:52 PMYahoo Sports — Frustrated Khamzat sends message to UFC boss Dana White — ‘What are we waiting for?’
"Former UFC middleweight champion, Khamzat Chimaev, wants to put his weight class change on hold and book an immediate rematch against current division titleholder, Sean Strickland, after losing to “Tarzan” atop the UFC 328 fight card earlier this year in Newark. Sounds like the 32-year-old “Borz” is running out of patience. Strickland, 35, is still […]
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