Nassourdine Imavov has called out Sean Strickland to run it back after the latter’s recent win over Anthony Hernandez this past weekend at UFC Houston.
“The Sniper” previously faced “Tarzan” in 2023 on short notice after the former’s opponent, Kelvin Gastelum, had to withdraw due to a mouth injury. The Strickland vs. Imavov bout took place at light heavyweight, with Nassourdine Imavov losing by unanimous decision. However, times have changed, and Imaov has remained unbeaten since that three-year-old setback.
The 29-year-old has entered 2026 riding a five-fight win streak, and his last three wins have come over hotshots like Israel Adesanya, Caio Borralho, and Brendan Allen.
On the other hand, Sean Strickland won the middleweight title in 2023 but lost it to Dricus du Plessis in 2024 and then failed to reclaim it in their 2025 title rematch.
However, following his latest win over “Fluffy,” “Tarzan” has set his crosshairs on reigning champion Khamzat Chimaev, who is yet to make the first defense of his 185-pound title.
When Chimaev returns post-Ramadan, he is expected to face the No. 2 contender Imavov.
However, with Strickland securing a big win and pushing himself back into title contention, the situation has become more complicated for the matchmakers, and to make things worse for Imavov, Strickland and “Borz” have been calling each other out repeatedly on social media.
Strickland, who loves to play the heel, has made multiple controversial remarks targeting Muslim fighters, particularly Chimaev and Imavov, and the latter wants to make the polarising American fighter pay for his recent remarks.
Nassourdine Imavov sends a chilling warning to Sean Strickland
In a recent interview with MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Nassourdine Imavov said that although he still has his eyes on the UFC middleweight championship, if the promotion calls him tomorrow and asks him to run it back with Sean Strickland, he will gladly do it, as he wants to get the win back at all costs. The 29-year-old said:
Of course, Khamzat is a big challenge. He knows, we know, and the UFC knows that I’m able to go to this fight, and I’m willing to go to this fight, whatever happens, because what I’ve been saying for a while is the only thing I’m focusing on is the belt, not the owner of the belt. And that’s not since Khamzat got this belt that I said that, but I said that way before, because that’s the only thing that matters at the end of the day, is the belt around my waist.”
Nassourdine Imavov also opined that his hate toward Strickland would drive him to pursue a rematch first if given the chance, after which he plans to return and fight for the belt. He added:
If the UFC call me tomorrow with the hate I have in my heart, of course it will be Sean Strickland, and then I can fight Khamzat or whatever. But what I have in my heart right now is to erase this defeat, this loss I had a few years ago, and beat this guy because 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. So like I said, and even in terms of fighting, like I can tell you guys, both of those fights will be world wars. Both of those fights will be crazy, but the one with Sean, I will leave him dead inside the cage.”
Check out Nassourdine Imavov’s comments about Sean Strickland below:
Strickland, however, has no interest in running it back with Imavov right now. After getting his hand raised at UFC Houston, “Tarzan” via FULL SEND MMA sent a message to “The Sniper.”
Listen, dude, I’ve moved past you, I’ve beat you, relax. Either you get the belt, or I get the belt. Once you get the belt, I’ll take it from you. Once I get the belt, you’ll lose to me.”
Check out Sean Strickland’s comments about Nassourdine Imavov below (2:16):
