Khamzat Chimaev sends a chilling warning to Sean Strickland ahead of potential UFC title rematch

Khamzat Chimaev has long been viewed as one of the most skilled grapplers and terrifying fighters in all of MMA. The grappling savant has also often displayed significant knockout power. 

However, his aura of invincibility appears to have taken a major hit after he suffered the first defeat of his professional mixed martial arts career. The fighter who beat him just so happens to be his former training partner and two-time UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland. For his part, "Borz" has now sent a chilling warning to Strickland, whilst reaffirming his intentions to clash with the American in a rematch for UFC gold. 

Khamzat Chimaev's warning to Sean Strickland 

The Chechnya-born Khamzat Chimaev was the UFC middleweight champion heading into the UFC 328 event earlier this month. He'd captured the belt, his maiden UFC title, by outpointing Dricus du Plessis in 2025. Incidentally, South Africa's du Plessis had won the belt by outpointing Sean Strickland, whom he holds a pair of wins over. 

As such, many touted the Chechen fighter as the favourite to retain his title against Strickland at UFC 328. Regardless, their fight ended up being a back-and-forth showdown, with the three official judges scoring it 48-47, 48-47, and 47-48; a split decision win for the American. Also, a notable post-fight talking point was that Chimaev struggled with his weight cut to 185 pounds. This complemented the widespread speculation that he's likely to move up to light heavyweight (205 pounds) and pursue a UFC title in that weight class. 

Well, after losing his middleweight title to Strickland, Chimaev seems more keen on recapturing that title rather than moving up to light heavyweight. He's been lobbying for an immediate rematch against "Tarzan" and has now taken to X to send a fierce warning to his ex-sparring partner. The 32-year-old wrote, "I'm waiting tell me when you're ready @SStricklandMMA Next time somebody has to be dead." 

 

I’m waiting tell me when you’re ready @SStricklandMMA Next time somebody has to be dead.

— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) May 24, 2026

Khamzat Chimaev alludes to alleged nationality-based bias against him and in favor of Sean Strickland in UFC fight

The UFC 328 event transpired at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A., on May 9, 2026. Speaking of which, Khamzat Chimaev posted and later deleted an X post about the alleged bias that he faced in the title fight because of his and his opponent's respective nationalities. 

He insinuated that since the fight's judges are Americans, Sean Strickland is American, the UFC is an American MMA organization, whereas he himself is Chechen; a close fight between them would mean that the system would favor Strickland. The ex-middleweight kingpin also put forth another post, suggesting that he wasn't making excuses but simply wants to beat his foe and ensure that the latter doesn't evade their rematch. 

Screenshots from his deleted X post were posted by the "@ChampRDS" X handle. One of Chimaev's now-deleted posts read, "All judges are Americans, the organization is American, the opponent is American, and one is Chechen. It's a close fight. Who do you think will win?" 

The other post was as follows: "No excuses I am just wanna f**k him up this sh** Trying to run away." 

 

Khamzat Chimaev suggested in a now-deleted tweet that he was robbed against Sean Strickland because he’s not American

“No excuses I just wanna f*ck him up. This sh*t trying to run away.” 😬 https://t.co/I48dc8zD28 pic.twitter.com/X4EKpbw19P

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 24, 2026