TLDR
- Khamzat Chimaev denies losing his UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland at UFC 328 in May
- The split-decision loss was the first defeat of Chimaev’s 16-fight professional MMA career
- Chimaev’s team hinted he was dealing with health issues before the title fight
- He is calling for a rematch but Strickland is expected to face Nassourdine Imavov next
- Chimaev will face Chris Weidman for the RAF Light Heavyweight Crossover Championship on Saturday in Abu Dhabi
Sources: sherdog.com | thenationalnews.com
Former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev says he did not lose his title fight against Sean Strickland and still considers himself the real champion. Chimaev lost the 185-pound belt to Strickland at UFC 328 in May via split decision.
“I didn’t lose the match [to Strickland],” Chimaev told MMA Junkie. “I am the real champion.”
The loss marked the first defeat of Chimaev’s professional MMA career, moving his record to 15-1. Strickland improved to 31-7 with the upset victory.
Chimaev entered the title fight as a heavy favorite but appeared to struggle after a failed takedown attempt in the second round. Strickland then outpointed him in striking exchanges over the remaining rounds to earn the split-decision win from the judges.
🚨 Khamzat Chimaev wants to sit out and wait for the winner of Sean Strickland vs Nassourdine Imavov
"I should fight the winner [of Strickland vs Imavov] because I'm the #1 contender. I didn't lose that match. I'm the real champion."
(via @MMAJunkie) pic.twitter.com/r4E9XHoSK4
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 6, 2026
Health Issues May Have Affected Performance
Chimaev’s team suggested after the fight that he was dealing with health problems before the bout. Despite these issues, he chose to go ahead with the title defense.
The Chechen fighter has been calling for an immediate rematch with Strickland. However, the current champion is expected to defend his title against Nassourdine Imavov next if contract negotiations with the UFC are finalized.
Chimaev says he is ready to fight and is waiting for the UFC to offer him a bout. UFC CEO Dana White previously stated that Chimaev would move up to light heavyweight, but the former champion appears committed to staying at middleweight.
Chimaev Shifts Focus to Wrestling
While waiting for his next UFC opportunity, Chimaev will compete in RAF Abu Dhabi on Saturday at Etihad Arena. He was originally scheduled to face Colby Covington for the American’s Cruiserweight Crossover Championship in the main event.
Covington was forced to withdraw from the match due to injury. Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman will replace him on short notice.
Chimaev and Weidman will now compete for the RAF Light Heavyweight Crossover Championship. This marks RAF wrestling’s debut in the Middle East.
Weidman is a two-time NCAA Division I All-American who made history in 2013 by defeating Anderson Silva to end the Brazilian’s record UFC middleweight title reign. He defended that championship three times before losing it.
Weidman retired from professional MMA in January 2025 and has competed once in RAF, losing to Covington at RAF 9 in May. He is now 42 years old.
Chimaev, 32, has a perfect wrestling record of 27-0 under various promotions. His last three victories have come under the RAF banner, with his most recent being an 11-0 technical fall win over Robbie Lawler.
Chimaev won the UFC middleweight title by defeating Dricus du Plessis in August of last year. He held the championship for nine months before losing it to Strickland.
The RAF Abu Dhabi card features several UFC fighters including Arman Tsarukyan, Umar Nurmagomedov, Merab Dvalishvili, and Julianna Pena. Wrestling champions Kyle Dake and Kyle Snyder are also scheduled to compete.
