Annoyed? Khamzat Chimaev appears restless in a video after Sean Strickland's victory at UFC Houston; watch it.

Chimaev at a UFC press conference. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/ Khamzat Chimaev

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Khamzat Chimaev may have met his first challenger for the belt in the middleweight division (up to 83,9 kg). Sean Strickland convincingly defeated Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Houston, held last Saturday (21), and took an important step towards a new title fight, a situation that, it seems, has turned on the competitive mode of the 'Wolf'.

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In a video posted by Baysangur Susurkaev on social media, Khamzat Chimaev appears at the Santo Performance Studio gym alongside Khalil Rountree while watching the outcome of the main event fight. In the footage, 'The Wolf' walks back and forth while Strickland gives a speech on a screen after knocking out Hernandez.

Khamzat Chimaev was closely listening to Sean Strickland ’s post-fight speech 👀🔥 #UFCHouston

(Via Susurkaev_ dikiy) pic.twitter.com/LzajdsBNiU

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) February 22, 2026

Who should be Khamzat Chimaev's next opponent in the UFC?

Besides Sean Strickland , Nassourdine Imavov is another name being considered to face Khamzat Chimaev for the middleweight title. The Frenchman is coming off a victory over Caio Borralho at UFC Paris and currently holds the number one position in the division's rankings.

Although he has yet to defend his middleweight title, Chimaev has made it clear that he wants to move up a division to pursue his second belt. If this plan materializes, three possibilities arise in the light heavyweight division (up to 93 kg): a duel against Alex Poatan , the current champion of the category, or confrontations against Jiri Procházka and Carlos Ulberg , the main challengers, especially considering the Brazilian's interest in migrating to the heavyweight division (up to 120,2 kg).

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