TLDR
- Sean Strickland confirmed he will fight Nassourdine Imavov next, with only pay negotiations remaining
- The fight is expected to headline UFC 335 on December 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
- This will be Strickland’s first title defense since winning the belt from Khamzat Chimaev in May 2026
- Imavov is on a five-fight win streak and previously lost to Strickland by decision in January 2023
- Strickland recently survived a UTV crash at 60 mph without a helmet but has returned to training
Sources: yardbarker.com | nyfights.com
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has confirmed that his first title defense is almost finalized. The champion said on social media Sunday that pay is the only remaining issue before his fight with Nassourdine Imavov becomes official.
Strickland won the 185-pound title in May 2026 when he defeated Khamzat Chimaev by split decision at UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey. The victory marked his second reign as middleweight champion after previously holding the belt in September 2023.
The fight is expected to headline UFC 335 on December 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. UFC 335 remains the only major pay-per-view card left this year without an officially announced main event.
Footage of Sean Strickland cornering Bryce Mitchell at UFC BJJ last night just dropped 😭
“He’s gonna go for a choke or an armbar! Or a kimura or some sh*t. Some gay jiu jitsu thing.”
“Pull out. I don’t say pull out often but you’re gonna pull out here dude.”
“F*cking jiu… pic.twitter.com/TbueeLMpoE
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 26, 2026
Strickland Addresses Fight Negotiations
When a fan asked on X (formerly Twitter) whether Imavov would be his next opponent, Strickland wrote that both sides are currently negotiating pay. He added that once the financial details are settled, the fight will be locked in.
“We’re discussing pay now,” Strickland wrote. “Once that detail is squared its locked in. The issue is no one cares about the fake Frenchman. We’re almost there.”
Strickland previously beat Imavov by decision in January 2023. That victory was part of the run that eventually led to his first middleweight title win against Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in Australia.
Strickland lost the belt to Dricus du Plessis before reclaiming it from Chimaev this past May. However, a shoulder injury from the Chimaev fight and ongoing rematch demands kept the champion out of action for several months.
Imavov Enters on Five-Fight Win Streak
Imavov has won five fights in a row and has not competed since September 6, 2025. The 31-year-old French fighter is currently ranked No. 3 in the middleweight division.
His recent victories include a knockout win over Israel Adesanya in February 2025. He also defeated Jared Cannonier by TKO in June 2024 and won a decision over Caio Borralho in September 2025.
Imavov stated in July that he would only accept a title shot as his next fight. He told reporters he was 100% fighting for the belt after the Strickland-Chimaev bout concluded.
Strickland’s training camp recently hit a snag when he crashed an off-road vehicle in Las Vegas. The champion rolled his UTV at 60 mph without wearing a helmet and hit his head on concrete.
He admitted he was slightly concussed from the accident. Despite the injury, Strickland returned to the gym the next day and posted sparring footage with the caption: “Sparring with a concussion makes you extra safe.”
The UFC has already filled its other fall championship slots. Alexander Volkanovski defends his featherweight title against Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 on October 24.
Ciryl Gane will defend his heavyweight belt against Josh Hokit at UFC 334 on November 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. UFC 332 and UFC 333 are scheduled between late September and mid-November.
Khamzat Chimaev has requested a rematch with Strickland after their controversial split decision. However, Chimaev indicated he would face the winner of Strickland versus Imavov rather than wait for an immediate rematch.
The middleweight title is the only belt that can complete the UFC’s year-end title fight schedule. Once Strickland and Imavov finalize their pay negotiations, UFC 335 will have its main event for the promotion’s final major card of 2026.
