Nassourdine Imavov celebrates Islam Makahchev's UFC 330 win, warns Sean Strickland
Nassourdine Imavov took to social media to celebrate Islam Makhachev's UFC 330 title triumph, before sending a warning to middleweight rival Sean Strickland.
Nassourdine Imavov was one of many who celebrated Islam Makhachev's successful welterweight title defense at UFC 330, where he defeated Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision. He congratulated the Dagestani superstar on social media, before answering a fan tweet with a warning aimed at Sean Strickland, who he hopes to challenge for the UFC middleweight title.
Nassourdine Imavov aiming for middleweight glory
This past weekend, Islam Makhachev successfully defended his welterweight title at UFC 330. It was a difficult bout, but he emerged victorious after five rounds to claim the unanimous decision. The win was celebrated by many of Makahchev's supporters, who are beginning to hail him as the GOAT of the sport. Among these supporters is UFC middleweight contender and Dagestani-born Frenchman Nassourdine Imavov, who tagged Makhachev on X and added a simple emoji.
However, Imavov is also aiming to immortalize himself as a UFC champion, and is currently gunning for a middleweight title fight with Sean Strickland, which he affirmed to a fan by saying the following about Strickland.
"He won't see the end of winter with that belt."
Unfortunately for Imavov, the UFC has not yet announced any plans to book him in a title fight with Strickland, especially with former middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev calling for an immediate title rematch with Strickland, to whom he lost via split-decision at UFC 328.
He won’t see the end of winter with that belt 🫡
— Imavov Nassourdine (@imavov1) August 16, 2026
Regardless, Imavov remains confident that the UFC will have him fight for the belt next. The bout with Strickland also represents more than just a title fight for him. The two are former opponents, having faced each other at light heavyweight back in 2023 at UFC Vegas 67, with Strickland stepping in on short-notice to replace an injured Kelvin Gastelum, who was Imavov's original opponent. Despite Imavov's best efforts, Strickland ultimately defeated him via unanimous decision in the main event. It was Imavov's second loss in the UFC, and he is determined to avenge it, especially with how inflammatory Strickland has become with his online trash talk.
