Sean Strickland is once again the middleweight champion.
According to top contender Nassourdine Imavov, he’s “100 percent fighting for the belt.”
“My next fight is (for) the belt,” Imavov told Jaiden Cable (via MMA Junkie). “Before the fight with Strickland and Khamzat, I wanted to fight Dricus (Du Plessis) to stay active, and the UFC told me I could fight only for the belt. After Khamzat vs. Strickland, I’m 100 percent fighting for the belt.”
“I do not like him, he’s not a good person,” Imavov added. “He talks shit every day. We already fought before, and he insulted me several times. Even during his fight week with Khamzat, he called me a terrorist. It’s such bullshit that it’s hard not to want to rip his head off. It’s very personal. I think he’s the only fighter in the UFC where it’s so personal.”
Imavov (17-4, 1 NC) is undefeated since losing to Strickland, racking up five straight wins with a pair of knockout finishes over longtime middleweight contender Jared Cannonier and former division champion Israel Adesanya. The only downside to the 31-year-old Imavov is his marketability, which goes a long way in 2026.
