Home / Sports / Strickland's Shoulder Heals, Chimaev Rematch Looms
Strickland's Shoulder Heals, Chimaev Rematch Looms
31 Jul
Summary
- Strickland targets a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev soon.
- He recently recovered from a shoulder injury sustained in May.
- The champion is focused on Chimaev despite other contenders.
Sean Strickland, the UFC Middleweight champion, is on the mend and preparing for his next fight, nearly three months after securing his title. He sustained a shoulder injury just four days before his May 9, 2026, bout against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328, but fought through the pain to win a split decision. Strickland recently shared on social media that his shoulder is healing well, indicating he'll be cleared to compete again soon.
Fans are eager to know Strickland's next opponent. While contenders like Nassourdine Imavov and Dricus du Plessis are options, Strickland appears focused on a rematch with Chimaev. He has publicly expressed a desire to silence Chimaev, who has continued to voice his opinions since their last encounter. Given the close nature of their initial fight and the existing rivalry, a Chimaev rematch is a strong possibility for the UFC's schedule, potentially in December in Las Vegas.
