News

'Wherever he goes, we go after him': Chimaev vows to chase Strickland to heavyweight… while the champion threatens to leave for boxing

Five months after losing his unbeaten record, Chimaev hasn't moved on: he's willing to go up two divisions for revenge. The problem is Strickland wants to fight Jake Paul, not him.

By Equipo La Jaula Props · October 28, 2026 · 1 min read

Sean Strickland en una rueda de prensa (2022)

Photos: Adam Tunniev, CC BY-SA 4.0 · MMAnytt, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons, cropped)

Khamzat Chimaev hasn't moved on. On May 9, 2026, at UFC 328, Sean Strickland took his middleweight title and his unbeaten record by split decision (48-47, 48-47 and 47-48). Five months later, the Chechen has made it clear he'll chase the rematch no matter what.

'Wherever he goes, we go after him'

Chimaev said he'll follow Strickland to any division: "Light heavyweight, heavyweight, wherever he goes, we go after him." He had already tried right after the loss, when his team asked for an immediate rematch in Abu Dhabi. Strickland replied that he'd have to earn it.

The problem: Strickland wants out

The champion is at war with the UFC over money. In early October he threatened to leave unless things change, said he'd be willing to give up the middleweight belt, fight out his contract and move to boxing, and admitted Jake Paul wants to give him "a big ol' bag of money" to fight.

He complains that opponents like Israel Adesanya and Chimaev made significantly more than him in the fights he won.
He has even said that if the UFC forces him to finish his contract, he'll fight defensively until it's over.
According to Dana White, Strickland signed a new contract in March 2026, before fighting Chimaev, and the UFC won't renegotiate it.

What about the title defense?

In September, Strickland said his defense against Nassourdine Imavov was nearly done, with only the purse left to agree. UFC 335 was discussed, but it could now slip to 2027. Nothing is signed.

Meanwhile, Chimaev keeps busy

On October 23, Chimaev beat former champion Robbie Lawler 11-0 in a wrestling match at RAF 14, the same night his teammate Arman Tsarukyan humiliated Dillon Danis.

The La Jaula take

Chimaev needs Strickland more than Strickland needs Chimaev

That's the key to this whole story. For Chimaev, the rematch is the only way to erase the only blemish on his record, which is why he's willing to go up two divisions. For Strickland, risking the belt against the most dangerous man in the division makes no sense unless it comes with the money he's demanding.

The 'wherever he goes' chase sounds great, but there's a catch: Strickland has floated moving up to light heavyweight precisely as a way out of his contract. If he does, Chimaev would have to start from scratch in a new division, and the UFC rarely hands title shots to newcomers.

And there's one fact nobody should forget: that decision was split and heavily disputed (13 of 24 media outlets scored it for Chimaev). A rematch would sell enormously, which is exactly what Strickland wants to cash in on.

Our verdict:There will be a rematch, but not soon. Most likely Strickland defends against Imavov first, or the Chimaev fight only happens once the UFC pays what the champion is asking for.

Frequently asked questions

Will there be a Chimaev vs. Strickland rematch?

It hasn't been announced. Chimaev has wanted it since his May 2026 loss and says he'll chase Strickland to any division, but Strickland insists he has to earn it.

Is Chimaev moving up to heavyweight?

Only if Strickland does. Chimaev said he'll follow him to light heavyweight or heavyweight, wherever he goes.

Is Strickland leaving the UFC?

He has threatened to over a pay dispute and says he wants to box, even Jake Paul. But he's still under contract: according to Dana White, he signed a new one in March 2026.

How did Strickland beat Chimaev?

By split decision (48-47, 48-47 and 47-48) at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026. It was Chimaev's first loss and Strickland won the middleweight title.

Who will Strickland defend the title against?

The most advanced option was Nassourdine Imavov, which could slip to 2027. Nothing is signed.

What did Chimaev do at RAF 14?

He beat former UFC champion Robbie Lawler 11-0 in a wrestling match on October 23, 2026 in Las Vegas.

Sources