Khamzat Chimaev wants an immediate title-fight rematch with Sean Strickland, and it's the only bout he's interested in taking.
"The rematch with Sean Strickland is the only fight that Khamzat wants. He is obsessed with it," his team told ESPN's Brett Okamoto. "That's the only fight he will accept right now."
Chimaev, who entered UFC 328 with a perfect 15-0-0 record, suffered his first loss to Strickland via split decision Saturday. Chimaev surrendered UFC's middleweight title after two judges scored the closely contested fight 48-47 for Strickland.
The following night, Chimaev hinted at wanting a rematch by tagging Strickland in a post on X.
Let me know when you are ready @SStricklandMMA
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) May 11, 2026
However, UFC CEO Dana White said that Chimaev plans on moving up to the light heavyweight division.
"He literally walked up to me after the fight and said, 'I want to move up. I don't want to fight in this weight class anymore.' ... Him moving up is exciting," White said during a postfight press conference.
Chimaev dominated Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 last August to secure the middleweight belt before failing to defend his title Saturday.
With the victory, Strickland joined Israel Adesanya as the only two-time middleweight champion in UFC history.
