"“The rematch with Sean Strickland is the only fight that Khamzat wants, he is obsessed with it,” the statement read. “That's the only fight he will accept right now.”"
"At the post-fight press conference, White revealed that Chimaev told him that UFC 328 was his last bout at 185 pounds. However, Chimaev also tweeted “See you soon again” to Strickland, perhaps hinting that he had unfinished business at middleweight."
"Both Strickland and Chimaev have received criticism within the MMA community for manufactured animosity leading up to their title fight, as both athletes touched gloves repeatedly during the matchup. After the bout, Strickland admitted that much of the pre-fight vitriol directed at his former training partner was in the name of selling the fight."
"Chimaev's staying power at 185 pounds came into question in Round 2 of the UFC 328 headliner, when he appeared to gas out following a failed takedown. Though Chimaev ultimately recovered and made it a competitive fight down the stretch, that moment made many recall how difficult the former champion's weight cut appeared to be."
Khamzat Chimaev’s team says he is focused on returning for a rematch with Sean Strickland and will accept only that fight right now. Chimaev entered UFC 328 as a heavy favorite but lost the middleweight title to Strickland via surprising split decision. UFC CEO Dana White previously said Chimaev told him UFC 328 would be his last fight at 185 pounds, while Chimaev’s tweet to Strickland suggested unfinished business at middleweight. The rivalry drew criticism for manufactured animosity, and Strickland later said some pre-fight vitriol was meant to sell the fight. Chimaev’s conditioning at 185 pounds was questioned after he appeared to gas out in Round 2 following a failed takedown, though he recovered and stayed competitive.
Read at Sherdog
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