Nassourdine Imavov, the UFC's number three ranked middleweight contender, has made a public offer of $500,000 to current champion Sean Strickland for a fight in January and has urged the UFC to strip Strickland of his title if he declines the bout. The challenge comes amidst reports of stalled negotiations for a rematch between the two fighters, with a pay dispute cited as the primary obstacle.
Reports from various outlets indicate that a title rematch between Imavov and Strickland was initially anticipated for UFC 335 in December, but the event was later pushed into 2027. Sean Strickland had previously stated on social media that a rematch was close to being finalized, with the purse being the sole unresolved issue. Subsequent reports suggested that Strickland was seeking $1 million for a potential UFC 336 fight in January, while the UFC had reportedly offered $400,000 to show and an additional $400,000 to win.
Imavov responded directly to these financial discussions on October 4, posting on X: “If it's really about money, I'll put $500K of my own money on the line if you beat me in January [Sean Strickland], putting this on record. If you still don't take it, then you're just scared. I'll handle you outside. UFC, THIS is your champ? Come on, STRIP HIM.” This offer represents a direct challenge from Imavov and not a confirmed agreement with either Strickland or the UFC. As of now, Strickland has not publicly accepted the proposed wager, and no official date or venue for a rematch has been announced.
Imavov's Ascent to Contention
Nassourdine Imavov, who stands 6 feet 3 inches tall with a 75-inch reach, has built a compelling case for a title shot. The 29-year-old orthodox fighter holds a UFC record of nine wins and two losses across eleven UFC fights. He is currently on an impressive five-fight win streak, showcasing significant momentum in the middleweight division. His most recent victory came in September 2025, where he defeated Caio Borralho by unanimous decision in a five-round contest. Prior to that, in February 2025, Imavov secured a notable win against Israel Adesanya via KO/TKO punch in the second round. His streak also includes unanimous decision victories over Brendan Allen in September 2024 and a KO/TKO win against Jared Cannonier in the fourth round in June 2024. Imavov's takedown defense stands at 71%.
Strickland's Championship Reign
Sean Strickland, aged 35 and standing 6 feet 1 inch tall with a 76-inch reach, is the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion and is also ranked number seven in the Men's Pound-for-Pound rankings. The orthodox fighter has a UFC record of eighteen wins and seven losses in twenty-five UFC fights. Strickland reclaimed the middleweight title in May 2026, defeating Khamzat Chimaev by split decision at UFC 328. Before that, he secured a KO/TKO victory over Anthony Hernandez in the third round in February 2026. Strickland's championship journey has seen him win the title from Israel Adesanya in September 2023, lose it to Dricus Du Plessis by unanimous decision in February 2025, and then regain it. His takedown defense is 78%.
The two fighters have met once before, in January 2023, where Strickland defeated Imavov by unanimous decision in a light heavyweight bout. With Imavov's recent challenge and the ongoing negotiations, the middleweight division awaits further developments regarding a potential rematch and the championship's future.
By the numbers
| Fighter | UFC record | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Nassourdine Imavov | 9-2-0 | Middleweight #3 |
| Sean Strickland | 18-7-0 | Middleweight champion |
UFC records count UFC fights only. Records and rankings from UFC Stats and ufc.com.
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