The No. 2-ranked UFC middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov, who is riding a five-fight win streak, has revealed that his fight with champion Khamzat Chimaev was targeted for December 2025, then February 2026. However, the bout did not materialize despite the initial talks due to Chimaev’s injury.
The Chechen-born Emirati has a minor foot injury for which he had to undergo surgery. Following recovery, he is expected to make his first title defense post-Ramadan.
Imavov was called out by “Borz” previously, who asked him to work on his wrestling before they potentially lock horns.
Recently, “The Sniper” appeared in an interview with MMA Fighting, where he revealed that the UFC brass are interested in giving him the next title shot. However, to date, nothing has been finalized, and no contracts have been signed. He said:
“So, no final news yet, no contract signed. One of the last discussions I had was with Hunter Campbell and Mick Maynard during UFC Qatar, and they told me that they want to schedule the fight against Khamzat for December, then for February. But Khamzat got injured… We spoke recently with matchmaker Mick Maynard, and they want to see the fight happen, but nothing is confirmed yet. No final approval.”
Check out Nassourdine Imavov’s comments below:
In the same interview, Imavov revealed that his team’s last conversation with the UFC matchmakers about the Chimaev fight was before Sean Strickland’s big win at UFC Houston.
Nassourdine Imavov wants to run it back with Sean Strickland
This past weekend, after Sean Strickland returned to winning ways by dismantling Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston, he wasted no time in calling out Khamzat Chimaev.
However, Imavov, who lost to Sean Strickland in 2023, has a strained relationship with “Tarzan” largely fueled by the latter’s controversial remarks aimed towards “Borz,” Imavov, and the Muslim community.
In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, “The Sniper” said that if given the chance, he wants to run it back with Sean Strickland, get the win back, make Strickland eat his own words, and then come back and fight for the UFC middleweight title.
“I hate him. I don’t like the way he speaks. I don’t like the way he thinks. I don’t like the way he speaks about my people… I will leave him dead inside the cage.”
Check out Nassourdine Imavov’s comments below: