Nassourdine Imavov channels inner Conor McGregor in call-out of UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland

Nassourdine Imavov has consistently campaigned for a title shot against his old rival and reigning UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland. The Russian-French fighter is no stranger to Strickland.

Imavov was booked to fight Kelvin Gastelum in the headlining match of UFC Vegas 67 back in January of 2023, but Gastelum was forced out of it due to an injury to his mouth. Ultimately, Strickland stepped in on short notice and bested "The Sniper" via unanimous decision in a light heavyweight matchup. 

Nassourdine Imavov has ascended as a skilled UFC middleweight contender after his defeat to Sean Strickland

Nassourdine Imavov has competed six times since, with his following fight coming against Sean Strickland's longtime training partner Chris Curtis. The 2023 matchup witnessed an accidental clash of heads incapacitate Curtis, resulting in an NC (No Contest). 

Imavov is currently on a five-fight win streak. The Curtis clash preceded his majority decision victory against Roman Dolidze and a TKO finish over Jared Cannonier. He later beat Brendan Allen by way of unanimous decision, with the aforementioned trio of fights all transpiring in 2024. 

Moreover, Imavov defeated ex-UFC middleweight champion and combat sports legend Israel Adesanya via TKO in February of last year, which was followed by his unanimous decision victory against Caio Borralho that September. 

Nassourdine Imavov channels his inner Conor McGregor in call-out of Sean Strickland for a UFC middleweight championship fight

Sean Strickland was beaten twice by his archnemesis, South Africa's Dricus du Plessis, once by split decision in 2024 and the second time via unanimous decision the next year. However, du Plessis eventually lost his UFC middleweight belt by unanimous decision after being out-wrestled by Khamzat Chimaev last August. 

Ironically, Strickland beat Chimaev with a razor-thin split decision verdict this May and reclaimed the UFC middleweight title. Meanwhile, du Plessis recently outpointed former UFC welterweight titlist Kamaru Usman in a middleweight clash to throw himself into the 185-pound title mix again. 

Ergo, many fans have lately been split over which of the top contenders -- including Nassourdine Imavov, Khamzat Chimaev, and Dricus du Plessis -- ought to fight Strickland for the belt next. 

Strickland, on his part, took to X a few hours ago and indicated that he'd likely rematch the previously undefeated Chimaev next. "Tarzan," who'd recently hinted at a possible return in December, also signaled that he's recovering well from his shoulder injury. 

Lambasting Chimaev over his near-fatal weight cut in regard to their fight, Strickland wrote, "Yall keep asking me when Im gonna fight again. Shoulder is getting solid, need a little longer. As to who Im fighting.. Chimeav keeps running his f**king mouth. Want me to teach you how to cut weight so you can stop b**ching for a second L?" 

Yall keep asking me when Im gonna fight again. Shoulder is getting solid, need a little longer.

As to who Im fighting.. Chimeav keeps running his fucking mouth.

Want me to teach you how to cut weight so you can stop bitching for a second L?

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) July 30, 2026

Nassourdine Imavov soon got wind of Strickland's X post and suggested that the champion should rematch him rather than Chimaev. Imavov and many of his supporters have lately ramped up calls for his title shot. 

The 30-year-old seemed to channel his inner Conor McGregor, utilizing the legendary combat sports megastar's famous one-liner to call Strickland out. Imavov wrote, "You'll do what you're told. You won't escape!" 

You’ll do what you’re told. You won’t escape! https://t.co/XGLh0Vpdgb

— Imavov Nassourdine (@imavov1) July 31, 2026

Speaking of the iconic one-liner from Conor McGregor, the Irishman's exact words and iconic line were: "You'll do what you're told." 

McGregor, a former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, has been known to possess the gift of gab and boasts several memorable one-liners and catchphrases to his name. 

"The Notorious" -- known for his relentless verbal and psychological warfare against his rivals -- has often expressed the sentiment that he has the power to issue commands to his opponents. 

One such instance, which popularized the aforementioned sentiment in the form of an immortal one-liner, was his jibe at fellow veteran MMA star Michael Chandler while they were serving as rival coaches on Season 31 of the UFC's TUF (The Ultimate Fighter) reality show in 2023. 

McGregor proposed a middleweight matchup against longtime rival Chandler, to which "Iron" obliged. McGregor hit back by saying, "You'll do what you're told." 

Watch the fiery interaction between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler below: