Imavov 'protects' champion Chimaev and makes death threat to Strickland in the UFC.

Imavov promotes UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

It seems that the UFC middleweight division (up to 83,9 kg) may become even more locked down, and not only because champion Khamzat Chimaev is not making any effort to put the title on the line. Enjoying a great run of form in his career and tipped to challenge for the belt, Nassourdine Imavov is not challenging the Russian. The Frenchman preferred to focus on Sean Strickland , who returned to winning ways last Saturday (21), in Houston (USA).

At the time, the bad boy impressed by knocking out Anthony Hernandez in the third round and put himself back in the running to fight for the belt. In fact, unlike Imavov, Strickland attacked Chimaev. 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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