Darren Till predicts potential Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland rematch, gives props to the UFC champion

Darren Till appears to have credited Sean Strickland for his fighting skills and dethroning the previously unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev to become the new UFC middleweight champion. 

Till, who extensively trained with Chimaev in the past and even often referred to the Chechen fighter as his friend, also addressed the potential Strickland-Chimaev rematch. 

Darren Till predicts that Khamzat Chimaev can reclaim UFC middleweight gold from Sean Strickland

Sean Strickland bested Khamzat Chimaev by way of split decision to win the UFC middleweight belt back in May. It's the American fighter's second reign as the 185-pound titlist.

Chimaev, on his part, has been lobbying for an immediate title rematch. Many believe that their second encounter, for the UFC middleweight title, could materialize this December, which is when "Tarzan" has hinted he'd like to return.

While their MMA rematch hasn't been officially announced, Chimaev's return to freestyle wrestling is confirmed. He'll take on former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in the main event of RAF Moscow on September 5. 

During a recent conversation with Full Mount MMA, one-time UFC welterweight title challenger and ex-UFC middleweight contender Darren Till spoke about Strickland's win over Chimaev. 

Although many had Strickland as a massive underdog in that fight, Till viewed it differently. The Briton further predicted that Chimaev would likely beat Strickland in their rematch, albeit he gave props to the California-born fighter for beating "Borz" the first time around 

Till stated, "Sean's got the belt, but I do think that Khamzat's gonna come back and beat Sean. I do. And I called it. I said it's gonna be a really hard fight for Khamzat. Sean has great takedown defense, and he can get up, and he's got an awkward style." 

He added, "But if you had to ask me -- and I'm a bit biased -- I do think that Khamzat can come back and beat Sean. I think he can finish him. But right now, Sean's got the belt, so he obviously is the apparent best middleweight in the world at the moment." 

Till indicated, however, that one mustn't forget other MMA organizations. He seemed to echo the hypothesis that, sometimes, champions in smaller MMA organizations might be better than their UFC counterparts and even eventually prove it in the UFC. 

The Liverpudlian, be that as it may, said that the UFC is regarded as the pinnacle of the sport of mixed martial arts, so Strickland is, technically, the best middleweight in the sport right now. 

Darren Till on whether Khamzat Chimaev underperforming or Sean Strickland's brilliance caused "Borz" to lose

In regard to whether Khamzat Chimaev putting on an underwhelming performance or Sean Strickland overachieving led to the outcome of their first encounter, Darren Till said: 

"Yeah, I think it was a bit of both. I think maybe the weight cut could have hurt Khamzat a bit, going into the later rounds... You could have tipped the fight towards Khamzat as well." 

The Englishman also underscored that Strickland fighting well was a significant reason behind the monumental upset. The 33-year-old asserted that he'd like to see a Strickland vs. Chimaev rematch, potentially at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, at the UFC's expected December event at the venue. 

Furthermore, Darren Till has himself displayed interest in a potential UFC comeback, suggesting that an all-Liverpool showdown between him and UFC lightweight Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett would be a lucrative proposition for all parties involved. 

Additionally, he's vowed to beat his 'frenemy' Mike Perry in the BKFC. Presently, Till is scheduled to compete in his second bare-knuckle boxing match, yet again in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) organization. He'll face fellow UFC veteran Yoel Romero in the main event of BKFC 94 Manchester on September 26. 

Watch Darren Till discuss the Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland fight and possible rematch below (*comments at the 6:50-minute mark of the video):