No. 3 UFC middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov recently confirmed that he has been informed about his next fight.
Imavov, who is riding a five-fight win streak, was expected to fight for the title earlier this year when Khamzat Chimaev was still the champion. However, when Sean Strickland stopped Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston, fans and “Tarzan” demanded that he must get the next title shot over Imavov.
Imavov was willing to wait, as he did not want to fight Chimaev because of the relationship between their countries, Dagestan and Chechnya. “Borz” also had similar sentiments. Additionally, Imavov’s mother also did not want her son to fight the Chechen-born Emirati.
“The Sniper” and many in the MMA community believed Chimaev, after my successful title defense, would move up to 205 pounds, after which Nassourdine Imavov could fight for the 185-pound strap. But Strickland ruined Chimaev and Imavov’s plans by dethroning “Borz” at UFC 328.
Now, Chimaev wants an immediate title rematch, and Dana White says Strickland is ready to fight anyone.
Nassourdine Imavov confirms he will fight Sean Strickland next, also warns “Tarzan”
Nassourdine Imavov has confirmed that he will be the next UFC middleweight title challenger. During a recent sit-down with Jaiden Cable, Imavov broke the news that the UFC has promised him that he will fight for the belt next. Imavov believes he will run it back with current and two-time middleweight champion Sean Strickland in October or November. The 30-year-old said:
“Before Khamzat fought Strickland, I told the UFC I wanted to fight DDP to stay active, but they said, ‘Your next fight will be for the title… We will probably fight near the end of the year. I think the UFC will try to push for October or November.
Check out Nassourdine Imaov’s comments below:
Imavov also added during the same interview that Strickland crossed the line with his comments aimed at him, Khamzat Chimaev, and the Muslim community, making their title fight far more personal:
“I do not like Strickland. He’s not a good person. He talks sh*t every day. During the fight week with Khamzat, he called me a terrorist. It’s hard not to want to rip his head off. It’s a very personal fight.”
Check out Nassourdine Imaov’s comments below:
