Sean Strickland could find himself on the cusp of another title shot with a win at UFC Fight Night 267.
Strickland (29-7 MMA, 16-7 UFC) takes on red-hot middleweight Anthony Hernandez (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) in the Feb. 21 main event (Paramount+) at Toyota Center in Houston.
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Nassourdine Imavov appears to be the frontrunner for a title shot after amassing five wins in a row, but after UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) said he’d rather not fight him, Strickland may have an opportunity.
“That would be a big fight,” Strickland told ESPN MMA of Chimaev. “I think I’m probably the only one that could beat Chimaev. I honestly think ‘Fluffy’ is a better wrestler than Chimaev. I think pace wise, style wise, I think over five rounds, ‘Fluffy’ is a probably better – but then standup, I think Chimaev might take him in the standup, a decision.”
Strickland was rather critical of Chimaev’s inactivity. Chimaev dominated Dricus Du Plessis to claim the 185-pound title at UFC 319 in August, his lone fight of 2025. He also fought once in both 2024 and 2023.
“It’s kind of weird what the UFC did with Chimaev,” Strickland said. “You brought a guy that fights once a year, who’s like a Madonna. I mean how much money does that dictator give him under the f*cking table? The guy doesn’t need to fight. He’s best friends with a warlord. Dude gets gifted G Wagons.
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“So, he’s just going to sit on that f*cking belt and wait, and wait until they force him to fight. Then he wanted to fight Nassourdine, he’s like, ‘I don’t want to fight you my brother.’ What are you talking about? That’s not how this f*cking sport works. Don’t be a b*tch. Go fight that guy.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Sean Strickland says he’s the one who can dethrone Khamzat Chimaev
