Sean Strickland and Nassourdine Imavov get into heated confrontation at UFC PI

Sean Strickland and Nassourdine Imavov recently crossed paths at the UFC Performance Institute. Unfortunately, their encounter was anything but calm, and both men nearly came to blows as Imavov's frustrations with the delay in his expected UFC middleweight title shot reached a boiling point.

Nassourdine Imavov demands answers from Sean Strickland

Most fighters on five-fight win streaks against their division's best earn title shots, and that's exactly what Nassourdine Imavov has done. Rumor has it that he was set to challenge Sean Strickland for the middleweight belt at UFC 335, but negotiations between the UFC and Strickland have broken down over money issues. This prompted an irate Imavov to confront Strickland at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas, where he taunted the middleweight champion.

"What is your problem? What is your problem? You not sign the contract? You not sign contract? What is the problem? Money? I have money. I give."

This isn't the first time that Imavov has offered to pay Strickland whatever he wants for the fight, as he first did so on social media upon catching wind of Strickland's growing rift with the UFC. Strickland, for his part, didn't give Imavov much attention during their confrontation, instead opting to simply walk away, enraging Imavov, who had to be held back by security. Still furious, Imavov explained himself to security.

"The problem is that he talks sh*t every time on social media. I'm here now, he's going. He's p*ssy, bro. He is p*ssy. Where are you going? I'm here. Hey, I'm here. Where are you going? What you gonna do now? I'm here."

While Imavov only became more incensed, Strickland urged him to stop, telling him that his antics weren't helping. At that point, Imavov tried to rush him before the video cut. Part of Imavov's frustrations stem from the fact that this is his long-awaited UFC middleweight title shot, and he is tired of waiting. However, the other part of it is that he desperately wants to fight Strickland. The pair first fought at light heavyweight at UFC Vegas 67, with Strickland stepping in on short-notice and just one month after a split-decision loss to Jared Cannonier at UFC Vegas 66. Strickland won the bout, beating Imavov via unanimous decision. 

Since then, Imavov has been determined to earn a rematch, especially as Strickland has become a more inflammatory and trash-talking presence on social media. However, as things stand, Imavov can only wait either for the UFC to resolve the money issue with Strickland or for Strickland to give up the belt as he has teased.