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Sean Strickland is escorted out after sneaking into UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest | : Johnny Bivera/Zuffa/Getty
Editor’s note: The views and opinions expressed below are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Sherdog.com, its affiliates and sponsors or its parent company, Evolve Media.
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There’s always mystery and contention about the title picture of each division. Sometimes there’s an obvious candidate for who has next, but what frequently happens in those cases is what follows after the obvious candidate has challenged for the belt. Considering what unfolds and debating amongst friends is one of the more fun elements of being a fight fan.
The Sean Strickland middleweight title picture after defeating Khamzat Chimaev
Perhaps the most contentious Ultimate Fighting Championship division at the moment is the middleweight. Sean Strickland recently dethroned the previously undefeated boogeyman Khamzat Chimaev to reclaim the throne he lost in 2024. It was a monumental upset as Chimaev looked untouchable in toppling Dricus Du Plessis, the man who took the strap from Strickland and managed to turn him away again in a rematch. It isn’t like those two are the only names that have a case to be made.
Given his name recognition, it seems Chimaev might have the inside track. However, his baggage continues to grow heavier with each passing year and the UFC may not be anxious to recommit to having a problem child as their champion again.
For instance, despite walking away from his contest with du Plessis unscathed, it took him almost nine months before he was ready to defend his belt for the first time. I understand he had a foot surgery at the end of 2025, but these long delays are becoming a habit. The last time Chimaev fought more than once in a year was 2022, a period that should have been his prime fighting years as Chimaev is now 32. If he couldn’t manage to fight more than once every 12 months in what was his peak, would it be wise to trust he’d be able to fight with greater frequency as age is likely to become his enemy?
The fact that Chimaev seems more preoccupied with accolade over accomplishment doesn’t help either. If I’m being fair, that’s hardly an issue isolated to him, but Chimaev was talking about moving up to light heavyweight to challenge Alex Pereira even before he’d defended his middleweight title. Taking his eye off the ball to focus on the next shiny object he could snag was part of the reason Chimaev fell to Strickland. It’s no secret his weight cut was disastrous -- which is why he originally said he was done fighting at 185 immediately after the fight -- and it’s hard to believe it had nothing to do with him looking beyond Strickland. Plus, who is to say Chimaev doesn’t immediately look at 205 again if he manages to avenge his loss to Strickland? As badly as the UFC needs stable champions at this point, I don’t think that’s all that appealing.
Chimaev, du Plessis, Imavov or Someone Else? Strickland's Next Opponent Is Up for Debate
Despite Chimaev already showing he has little interest in proving he deserves to remain champion, he’s still a more attractive option than du Plessis... at least in the immediate. Du Plessis has been generally entertaining, but the two snoozers he’s produced have both come against Strickland. The level of interest in seeing those two clash in a third contest can’t get any lower. Yet, it could very much be a real possibility.
Du Plessis has a main event contest with Kamaru Usman on the horizon at UFC Oklahoma. If he’s able to win impressively, his two wins over Strickland could give him some bragging rights over Chimaev. After all, du Plessis proved willing to defend his title on the regular, something the UFC is struggling to get any of their champs to do. Someone who is usually a solid bet to put on an entertaining contest in addition to showing up? That probably sounds mighty appealing right now.
Or... there’s the wild card in the situation too. Unfortunately for Nassourdine Imavov, the UFC doesn’t appear to have an interest in providing him an opportunity to become champion. Imavov is presently tied for the longest winning streak in the division at five. Unlike Ateba Abega Gautier, Imavov is knocking off actual contenders. In fact, prior to Strickland upending Anthony Hernandez and cutting a memorable promo on Khamzat, Imavov appeared to be the top contender. Of course, Imavov didn’t do himself any favors by expressing an interest in fighting Strickland after the promo rather than wanting a shot at the title. That proved a poor play for the Russian and the UFC was more than happy to not give him the title shot if he wasn’t expressing interest in that.
While it could be argued Imavov would be getting what he wants now in a contest with Strickland, it’s worth noting he already fought him and came up short early in 2023. Having little to offer in terms of personality is hurting even worse. Imavov should have been as annoying as possible about having next once Strickland dethroned Chimaev. He did claim about a month ago the UFC already promised him the next title shot, but we all know the UFC has broken many promises when they’ve seen something that glistens even more than what is sitting immediately in front of them. Imavov would be foolish to think the UFC is going to hold tight, especially when Strickland seems unlikely to fight again within this calendar year. That’s a lot of time for something new to develop.
The UFC Has a Strickland Problem... and It's a Good One
There’s a question of what Strickland wants too. He’s largely been a good soldier for the UFC -- his UFC White House stunt notwithstanding -- and that might get him a say in what happens. Given his win over Imavov, that may boost Imavov’s chances as Strickland may see him as the easiest opponent. Then again, the champ typically hasn’t vocalized a preferred opponent unless it’s for the title. Now that he’s on top, it’s likely he remains quiet.
Given we’re months away from the middleweight title being up for grabs, a lot could change. It’s plausible Usman upsets du Plessis in a couple of weeks and the UFC opts to fast track the former welterweight king into a title shot. After all, Usman has a victory over Strickland. Regardless, for all the speculation on what comes next at 185, there’s no way to completely know what the UFC will do next. Regardless, it sure is fun to speculate.
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