Summary
Imavov promotes UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC
It seems that the UFC middleweight division (up to 83,9 kg) may become even more competitive, and not only because the champion... Khamzat Shimaev He's not making any effort to put the title on the line. He's in great form in his career and is tipped to fight for the belt. Nassourdine Imavov He doesn't challenge the Russian. The Frenchman preferred to focus on Sean Strickland, who won again last Saturday (21), in Houston (USA).
On that occasion, the bad boy impressed by knocking out his opponent. anthony hernandez In the third round, he put himself back in the running to fight for the belt. In fact, unlike Imavov, Strickland attacked Chimaev directly. But, if it's up to the Frenchman, the next big middleweight fight won't involve the champion, but rather himself and the American to determine the number one contender.
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It's worth noting that Imavov previously stated he was against fighting his friend Chimaev and that he prefers to fight for the title when Chimaev is not the champion. Therefore, by 'protecting' 'Borz', the Frenchman seeks to settle scores with his rival Strickland and even threatens him with death.
“My dream: bring me that clown for the crown. Point of view: that instant shift from 'Yes' to 'Oh, shit'. Death is the next step, Strickland,” the wrestler wrote on his official 'X' account.
Heated rivalry
Currently, Imavov and Strickland exchange so many insults that it's safe to say the animosity between them is one of the biggest in the UFC today. At the 'media day' of last Saturday's event, the American called the Frenchman and Chimaev 'Muslim terrorists'. In response, 'The Sniper' called the former middleweight champion 'trash'.
1-0 Strickland
Interestingly, these elite middleweight fighters faced off in the UFC in 2023. On that occasion, Strickland easily defeated Imavov via unanimous decision (49–46, 49–46, 48–47). In fact, that was the Frenchman's last loss, as he has five consecutive wins.
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