Why did Sean Strickland criticize Khamzat Chimaev?

Strickland criticized Chimaev for the inactivity of the middleweight division and his proposed future fight schedule.

When is Khamzat Chimaev expected to fight next?

Khamzat Chimaev is expected to fight Nassourdine Imavov in early 2026, after recovering from surgery.

Who is Sean Strickland?

Sean Strickland is a former UFC middleweight champion who previously held the title.

Home / Sports / Strickland Slams Chimaev: "Middleweight Division on Ice!"

Strickland Slams Chimaev: "Middleweight Division on Ice!"

3 Dec

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Summary

Sean Strickland criticizes Khamzat Chimaev's inactivity and future fight plans.
Strickland expresses frustration over the middleweight division's stalled progress.
Chimaev's proposed fight against Imavov is reportedly delayed until 2026.

Strickland Slams Chimaev: "Middleweight Division on Ice!"

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has publicly criticized current champion Khamzat Chimaev, asserting that the middleweight division is effectively frozen. Strickland expressed strong dissatisfaction with Chimaev's announced plans, which include a lengthy recovery from surgery and a potential matchup against Nassourdine Imavov slated for early 2026.

Strickland's outburst, delivered via social media, highlighted Chimaev's limited fight activity since 2023 and his recent victory over Dricus du Plessis. The former champion believes Chimaev's schedule, which includes a post-Ramadan recovery and surgery, is causing significant delays, making the middleweight title picture unclear.

This criticism comes after Strickland's own recent middleweight title reign, which began with a surprising win over Israel Adesanya and ended with a loss to du Plessis. Strickland also alluded to Chimaev's association with Ramzan Kadyrov, the controversial head of the Chechen Republic.

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