Sean Strickland, the former UFC champion, has voiced strong dissatisfaction with Khamzat Chimaev’s slow pace as the reigning middleweight titleholder. According to Strickland, Chimaev’s extended absence from competition is causing the 185-pound division to lose momentum and stall its progress.
Khamzat Chimaev secured the middleweight belt by defeating Dricus du Plessis via a unanimous decision at UFC 319 in August 2025, in a match dominated by grappling. However, since claiming the title, the Chechen-born fighter, who now represents the UAE, has remained inactive inside the octagon.
Chimaev’s Injury and Delayed Return Keep Middleweight Division on Hold
Later in 2025, Chimaev announced he would undergo surgery to address an ongoing injury, confirming he would be sidelined until after Ramadan, which pushes his comeback to sometime following March. This announcement has heightened concerns within the MMA community.
Before UFC 319, many experts had already raised alarms about Chimaev’s ability to maintain consistent activity, given his history of injuries and health challenges. Their warnings now seem increasingly relevant as the division’s momentum slows.
Sean Strickland Expresses Frustration Over Division’s Stagnation
In an interview with ESPN MMA, Strickland did not hold back his displeasure with how the UFC appears to be handling Chimaev’s situation, stating:
“It’s kind of weird how the UFC deals with Chimaev. You brought a guy, and they fight once a year. Who is like a f**king Madonna. I mean, how much money does that dictator give him under the f**king table? The guy doesn’t need to fight, dude. He is best friends with a f**king warlord.”
Strickland further elaborated on the frustrating pattern of inactivity, warning that Chimaev might continue to delay title defenses indefinitely:
“He is just going to sit on that f**king belt and wait until they force him to fight… Let’s just say Chimaev goes and fights Nassourdine [Imavov] in six months, and let’s just say Chimaev breaks his pinky like he normally does. Now he takes another year off. So it’s like you are off for two years.”
Khamzat Chimaev Comments on Potential Fight with Sean Strickland
Despite the brewing tension and public criticism, Khamzat Chimaev has indicated willingness to face Sean Strickland, although he insists that Strickland must first improve his recent fight record before the matchup can be considered. ‘Borz’ referenced Strickland’s losses as a barrier to earning a title shot.
During a 2025 interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, Chimaev remarked on Strickland’s recent performance, saying:
“He lost a lot of fights. He has to win one fight. I think he lost the last two fights, yeah?… He lost against the guy whom I beat for five rounds. That’s why he has to win one fight, man. But if [the UFC] gives him a [title] fight, who cares? If the UFC thinks this is good, let’s go. Let’s go rumble.”
Implications for the Middleweight Division Moving Forward
The ongoing delay in Khamzat Chimaev’s return leaves the middleweight division at a crossroads, further intensifying frustrations among fighters and fans alike. Sean Strickland’s outspoken criticism highlights the growing demand for active championship defenses to sustain interest and competitive integrity in the division.
As Chimaev recovers and prepares for his return post-Ramadan, the UFC and its audience will closely watch how quickly the champion resumes competition. How this situation unfolds could significantly impact the middleweight landscape and potentially open doors for fighters eager to challenge for the title.
Sean Strickland thinks Khamzat Chimaev is ruining the middleweight division with his inactivity:
"You brought a guy in that fights once a year… he's just gonna sit on that f***ing belt and wait until they force him to fight.
You would make more money not fighting for the belt… pic.twitter.com/UrKDzwRcmR
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 13, 2026
