Chimaev Defends Title Loss, Eyes Rematch

Khamzat Chimaev, recently dethroned of his UFC middleweight title by Sean Strickland, has broken his silence following his May loss. Competing in Russia for the first time in 15 years, Chimaev acknowledged making mistakes in his championship bout but downplayed talk of injury or weight cut issues. He emphasized his resilience, stating, "When you don't give up, you don't lose," and highlighted his lifelong dedication to fighting.

Chimaev expressed an immediate desire for a rematch with Sean Strickland, stating he is waiting for it "even tomorrow." However, Strickland is currently recovering from a shoulder injury, and Nassourdine Imavov is reportedly favored for the next title shot. Chimaev stated he would face whoever wins, but reiterated his primary focus remains on reclaiming his middleweight belt.

Confirming his commitment to the division, Chimaev declared he is "not going anywhere" until he has "break[s] everyone at 185." This statement comes amidst speculation about whether his struggles to make weight and perform at middleweight might be another misstep.