Sean Strickland already has a name in mind for his first title defense after reclaiming the UFC middleweight belt at UFC 328, and he wants it to be Nassourdine Imavov.
Strickland regained the 185-pound title with a split decision win over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328, a fight in which he sustained a nose injury. After the bout, he made it clear he intends to let the official ladder dictate his next move.
"I truly believe in UFC rankings," Strickland said. "I think they f*cking matter. I hate when guys jump it. So if that's who the UFC (want). If that's the rankings. That's who it is. Let's go."
Imavov currently sits at No. 2 in the UFC’s middleweight rankings, behind No. 1 contender Dricus Du Plessis, who ended Strickland’s first title reign in January 2024. Strickland has already faced Imavov once before, earning a win in a short-notice light heavyweight bout at UFC Fight Night 217 in January 2023.
Imavov is on a six-fight unbeaten streak, with his last blemish coming against Strickland, adding another layer of intrigue to the potential matchup if the UFC moves in that direction.
