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Khamzat Chimaev UFC

Former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev took to social media to suggest a rematch against new world champion Sean Strickland.

Strickland defeated Chimaev via split decision on Saturday at UFC 328 to claim the UFC middleweight title for the second time in his career. It was a very competitive bout that went the full 25 minutes, but in the end, the judges sided with Strickland, and he got his hand raised.

Following the fight, UFC president Dana White announced that Chimaev told him that he was moving up to the light heavyweight division. But it appears that Chimaev is having second thoughts about 205 lbs, and he may be staying at 185 lbs instead.

Khamzat Chimaev Suggests Rematch Against Sean Strickland

Chimaev took to his social media on Sunday evening to suggest that the two rivals run it back. Here’s what he wrote, tagging Strickland in his message.

“Let me know when you are ready @SStricklandMMA,” Chimaev wrote on X.

It will be interesting to see what comes from this. Chimaev clearly struggled with the weight cut down to 185 lbs at Friday’s official UFC 328 weigh-ins, and it appeared that the giant cut down to middleweight sapped his energy in the fight. After a strong first round, Chimaev appeared to completely gas out in the second round before finding his second wind in the middle rounds. But going against Strickland, who is known for his elite conditioning, Chimaev simply didn’t have the wind in him necessary to win the fight in the eyes of the judges.

Chimaev has already teased a move to light heavyweight, and fights against opponents up at the next weight class, such as Jiri Prochazka and Paulo Costa, are certainly intriguing. But perhaps he feels like, with some adjustments, he can have an easier cut down to middleweight, and give Strickland a run for his money if the two rematch.

What Should the UFC Do With Chimaev?

There is no doubt that the first Chimaev vs. Strickland fight was one of the biggest fights in modern UFC history, and a rematch would certainly be interesting to see play out.

But Chimaev, for as good a fighter as he is, never had one single successful title defense at middleweight. That’s why it sets a dangerous precedent for the UFC to run this fight back, especially since White said he thought Strickland won. There have been other examples in recent history of UFC champions with multiple title defenses losing their belt and not getting a rematch, such as Aljamain Sterling, so it just doesn’t seem like it’s in the UFC’s DNA to give Chimaev an instant rematch.

That being said, it would no doubt be a very intriguing fight that would get the fans interested, and we all know the UFC is in the business of making money. So, if the promotion feels like these two could sell another big fight, then perhaps they would consider running it back. But it does feel like the smart money is on Chimaev to make the move up to light heavyweight, where he won’t have to deplete his body cutting so much weight and can get a brand new, fresh start in a new division.