TLDR
- Nassourdine Imavov called out Sean Strickland for a rematch after Strickland’s UFC Houston win over Anthony Hernandez
- Imavov holds a five-fight win streak including victories over Israel Adesanya and Jared Cannonier
- Strickland beat Imavov by decision in their first meeting at light heavyweight in January 2023
- Imavov says he only wants to fight for the UFC middleweight title and believes he is the most deserving contender
- Strickland responded by telling Imavov to relax and reminding him that he already lost their first fight
Sources: mmafighting.com | bjpenn.com
Nassourdine Imavov has called out Sean Strickland for a rematch following Strickland’s victory over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston this past Saturday. The French fighter says he really wants another shot at Strickland after losing their first meeting in January 2023.
Imavov entered 2026 as the UFC middleweight division’s number one contender with a five-fight win streak. He watched Strickland finish Hernandez in the main event and heard talk that Strickland could jump ahead of him for a title shot.
The contender says giving Strickland a title shot over him would not make sense based on their records. Strickland is coming off a loss to former champion Dricus du Plessis and just beat Hernandez, whose best win was against Roman Dolidze.
“This guy will have the privilege to go for the belt after one victory? So for me, it makes no sense,” Imavov told MMA Fighting. “I have a five [fight] win streak against three top-10 opponents, two top-five opponents in less than 18 months.”
Nassourdine Imavov absolutely despises Sean Strickland 👀 pic.twitter.com/uWsZywAQsb
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) February 24, 2026
First Fight Happened at Light Heavyweight
Strickland defeated Imavov by unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 67 in January 2023. That fight took place at light heavyweight on short notice when Imavov stepped in as a replacement.
Imavov says he has been asking the UFC for a rematch with Strickland for two years. Since that loss, Imavov has beaten Chris Curtis, Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier, Brendan Allen, and Caio Borralho.
His most recent wins include finishes over former title challenger Cannonier and former champion Israel Adesanya. Imavov says the fighter who lost to Strickland three years ago is very different from who he is now.
“The Nassourdine right now is very different than the one that fought maybe three years before against Sean Strickland,” Imavov said. “I really hate him. So it will be fireworks outside of the cage.”
Strickland Responds to Challenge
Strickland responded to Imavov’s callout by reminding him of their first fight result. Speaking to Full Send MMA, the former champion told Imavov to relax.
“Listen dude, I’ve moved past you. I’ve beat you, relax,” Strickland said. “Either you get the belt or I get the belt. Once you get the belt, I’ll take it from you.”
Imavov fired back on social media, saying a rematch would end quickly. “He’d get tapped fast. I’m next for the belt,” Imavov wrote on X.
Imavov says he told UFC executives Mick Maynard and Hunter Campbell that he only wants to fight for the championship. He believes he has shown everything the UFC wants in a fighter by staying active and finishing top opponents.
The contender thinks a potential fight between Strickland and current champion Khamzat Chimaev would be a mismatch. Imavov predicts Chimaev would take Strickland down and submit him in the first round.
Imavov also mentioned that Chimaev has been teasing a move to light heavyweight. If Chimaev vacates the middleweight title, Imavov suggested he could face Strickland for the vacant belt.
Chimaev won the middleweight championship by defeating du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025. The champion has not fought since winning the title six months ago.
