Sean Strickland’s next title defense appears to be nearly finalized. The American fighter captured the middleweight championship for the second time at UFC 328 in May, stunning fans by ending Khamzat Chimaev’s unbeaten streak and replicating his previous success from UFC 293.
The victory was hard-earned. After battling a shoulder injury and facing consecutive training camps preparing for Chimaev and Anthony Hernandez, Strickland opted to take a break. Nevertheless, he indicated his readiness to face a deserving contender, choosing Nassourdine Imavov as his preferred challenger.
Rumors have since circulated about a potential headline bout between Strickland and Imavov at UFC 335 on December 12. Strickland recently confirmed that negotiations over the financial terms are currently underway and that the fight will be officially announced once the details are finalized.
Responding to a fan’s question on X about the possibility of fighting Imavov, Strickland stated, “We’re discussing pay now. Once that detail is squared, it’s locked in. The issue is no one cares about the fake Frenchman. We’re almost there.”
Imavov, ranked No. 3 in the UFC middleweight division, is on a five-fight winning streak. The Dagestani-French competitor notably defeated Caio Borralho by decision in the UFC Paris main event in September 2025 and previously scored a knockout over Israel Adesanya.
His last loss was to Strickland in 2023 when Imavov accepted the fight on short notice at a UFC Fight Night event. Meanwhile, Strickland recently faced a scare following a side-by-side vehicle accident at 60 mph without a helmet but publicly showed only minor injuries. Despite his coach Eric Nicksick’s advice to rest, Strickland returned to sparring at the UFC Performance Institute the next day, indicating no serious setbacks ahead of his upcoming title defense.
Fan Take: This anticipated matchup between Strickland and Imavov holds major significance for fight fans as it promises high-stakes action between two top contenders with intense rivalry history. The bout could not only solidify Strickland’s reign but also elevate the middleweight division’s competitive landscape for years to come.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
